Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny
The Council of Basell.
THE Council of Basell began, which was most troublesome, and endured longer then any other Council, almost 17. years, wherein was concluded, as in the Council of Constance, that the general Council was above the Pope. Unto this Council came the Emperor Sygismund. Pope Martin died after he had summoned This Council, and Eugenius the 4. succeeded Pope, who would have drawn the Council unto Bonony from Basell, pretending the Greeks would come to the Council, and be united to the west Church, and that they would not pass the Alp • s. And he cited the Fathers of the Council unto Bonony, and they cited him again to be at the Council, or his Emb • ssadours: Whereupon sprung a doubtful question amongst the Deuines some held the Pope an Heretic, because he had contemned the commandment of the Church; others▪ that he was an Heret • cke and relapse, and upon long arguments, contentions, and fallings out, and when by no means • e would allow the Council of Basell, he was d • priued by the Council, and Amedeus Duke of Sau • y chosen Pope.
The rest of the Story of the Bohemians.
THe Story of the Bohemians, being in this Treatise before set forth, until it was agreed that the Bohemians chose four Ministers to dispute upon the four Articles, and the Council chose four to dispute against them, at the day appointed, Rochezantus, one of the four Ministers chosen by the Bohemians, propounded the first Article, touching the Communion to be ministered in both kinds, and desputed thereof three days in the forenoones. Then Venceslaus disputed upon the second Article touching the punishment of sin, two days; after whom Vlda • icus propounded and disputed upon the third Article two days, touching the free preaching of the word of God Last of all, Peter Paine an Englishman, disputed three days upon the fourth Article, touching civil Dominion of the Clergy, and after, gave Copies of their di • putations unto the Council, with hearty thanks that they were • eard. The three last somewhat inueyed against the Council, commending John Hus, and John Wycliffe, for their Doctrine.
One Ragusio answered the first point, and 〈◊〉 puted eight days thereon. Egidius Carlerius answered the second point, by the space of four days. One Henricus answered the third Article three days. One John Pollomarius answered the fourth Articles, three days▪ the Bohemians still stood to their Articles.
At length the Council and the Bohemians were agreed, and receiving the Communion in both kinds was permitted unto the Bohemians, and Articles drawn under the hands and Seals of the Council of one part, and the Bohemians on the other, concerning the other Articles.
After all this, the Bohemians put up these petitions following unto the Council.
First, for the extirpation of diverse discentions, which will follow, amongst our people, upon the 〈◊〉 of the Communion, that you would grant an uniform order of Communion unto all men under both kinds unto our Bishops, having charge of Souls, and to their Uicars, and flocks: for this done by your benefit, the whole Kingdom shall be comforted without measure, and established in brotherly love, whereby an uniform obedience shall be perpetually attributed to holy Church.
2 That to avoid the doubtfulness of many, which suppose that the Council doth suffer the said Communion under both kinds unto us, but for a time, as neither profitable nor wholesome, we desire that you would confirm and continue it by th • bulls of your Letters.
3 We beseech you for the final defense, and obse • uation of all things compounded, and for the good order in the Spiritualties, you would provide for us a good and lawful Pastor▪ which shall seem to us most meet for our Kingdom.
4 We desire you, for the worthy 〈◊〉 of our Realm, that you will direct Letters of the sacred Council, declaring to all Princes Seculer and Spiritual, Cities and Communalties▪ according to the compositions.
5 We desire you▪ that in the discussing of the matter of the Communion under both kinds, that you will proceed no otherwise then according to the Law of God, the Order of Christ and his Apostles, the general Council and minds of holy Doctors, truly grounded upon the Law of God.
6 We • d • sire, that for the great affection of our people, you will give us the liberty to communicate to • oung children the Sacrame • t of the Supper; for if thi • use of Communicating be taken away, which our Kingdom, being godly moved by the wr • tings of most great and holy Doctors, and brought in by examples, hath received as Catholic, and exercised now a long time, it would rise up to an intolerable offense amongst the people, and their minds would be grievously v • xed and troubled.
7 We require you, that you would permit, at least, the Gospels, Epistles, and Crede, to be read in the Church, in our vulger tongue, to move the people to devotion, for it hath been so used of old time in the Church, and in our 〈◊〉 .
8 We desire, that Prebends, and collacions of certain benefices o • Cathedral 〈◊〉 Churches, may be annexed and incorporated unto the University of Prague, that it may be increased and pre • erred.
9 We r • quire▪ that with all • are and study, you will watch and seek for that long desired, and most necessary reformation of the Church, and Christian Religion, and effectually labor f • r the rooting out of all public e • ils, as well in the head as in the members, as you have often promised, in our Kingdom in the Compositio • s, and as our fourth Article, touching the avoiding all public evils, doth exact and require.
In this Council was ordained the feast of the Conce • tion of our Lady, and the feast of the Uisitation of our Lady.
In this Council there was diligent ca • e about reformation of the Church, that through every Church apt and meet Ministers might be app • inted, which may shine in virtue and knowledge, to the glory of Christ, and the healthful edifying of the Christian people, whereunto the multitude of expectatiue gifts have been a great impediment; hereby often times, unmeet Ministers are appointed for the Churches, and they give occasion to desire another's death, and many contentions are mo • ed a • ongst the servants of God, and the ambition and greedy desire of pluralities maintained, and the substance of Kingdoms consumed, poor men suffer vexations, by running to Rome▪ they are often by the way robbed, murdered, afflicted with diverse plagues, and having spent their pa • rimony, left them by their parents, are constrained • o live in extreme poverty. Many crave benefices which have no just title, and get the same, and such as have most craft and subtlety to deceive, and greatest substa ••• to contend in the Law, do great wrongs: the Eccle •• asticall order is confounded, whiles every man's Judgment is not preserved; and the Pope, by challenging and taking upon him too much, the Office of Superiors is drowned from more weighty and fruitful matters, and intends not to the guiding and correction of the inferiors, as public utility requireth, all which things bring a great confusion unto the Clergy, to the great prejudice of God's true worship, and the public salvation.
THE SIXT SECTION OF this Ecclesiastical History.
T HIS Story following, and that before confuteth the vain opinion of some, that this Religion now used, hath risen but twenty or thirty years since, and manifesteth that it hath been spread in England this 220. years, and often sparkled before that time, although it flamed not so as it hath done within this 100. years and more, w • o although they were not so strongly armed in their cause, as of late years, yet were they warriors in Christ's Church, and although they gave back for tyranny, yet Judge the best, and refer the cause to God, who euealeth all things according to his determinate will and time, there hath been no realm more fertile for Marters then England. Oxford was as a continual spr • ng of Christian knowledge whence, as out of the Troiane horse, hath come so many invincible wit • esses of the truth, amongst whom William Taylor, Master of 〈◊〉 , hath not deserved the least praise, being a fauorer of Wycliffe▪ who because he had written cer • ain things against the invocation of saints, and many other matters, after he had recanted nine articles, returned unto th • right way, and with a marvelous constancy, 〈◊〉 bu •• t in Smithfield the 7 of March.
John Florence, a Turner of Shelton, in the Di • cesse of Norwich, was attached because he held and taught that the Pope and Cardinals have no power to const • tute Laws, that nor day is to be kept holiday, but Sunday. That there ought to be no fast, but of the Qua • uor temporum. That Images are not to be worshipped▪ not lights to be set before them. Not 〈◊〉 go on Pilgrimage, nor offe • for the dead, or with women that are purified. That Curates should not claim Tithes by any exaction, and that they should be divided amongst the poor. That such as swear by their life, or power, except they repent, shall be dam •• d. He was brought before the Chancellor, and forced to abjure, and was sworn not to hold or teach anything contrary to the determination of the Church of Rome, nor to help or aid any that should so do. He was enjoined for penan •• thr •• Sund • ies Solemn Procession in the Cathedral Church of Norwich, to be whipped before all the people, and three other Sundays about his Parish Church of Shelton, bare f •• ted, & bare necked, his body being covered with a canu • s shirt, and canu • s briches, carrying in his hand a Taper of a pound weight, & so was dismissed.
Richard Belward of Erisam, in the Diocese of Norwich, was accused for holding, and teaching, that Ecclesiastical Minist • re and Ordinaries, have no power to excommunicate; and though the Bishop excommunicate any, God doth absol • e them. And that he held the opinion of Sir John Oldcastle. And that such as go on Pilgrimage, offering to Images, are excommunicated, because they ought to give to the poor which are alive, and not to the dead. And that the Curates sell God on Easter day, when they receive Offerings, before they minister the Sacraments. And that he counseled •• uerse women that they should not offer for the dead, nor with women that were puri •••• ▪ and for that he called his neighbors fools for not learning his sect, and that they of 〈◊〉 sect were able to confute all others, and that we ought not to pray unto the Saints 〈◊〉 heaven, but only to God, and that he kept schools of Lolardie in Dichingham, 〈◊〉 that a Parchment maker bringeth him books from London, containing 〈◊〉 Doctrine. The Bishop of Norwich si • ting in Judgment upon him, he denied his articles, and was purged by 〈◊〉 of his neighbors, swearing that he would not teach or defend any thin • contrary to the Church of Rome, and the aforesaid parchment-maker was likewise accused upon the aforesaid Artic • es who d • nyed them, and was likewise purged by his neighb • urs, and sword in like manner. Also sir Hugh Pie Chaplen of L • dney was likewi • e accused before the said Bishop of Norwich, for holding that the people ought not to go on pilgrimage, and that people ought not to give alms to Images, but to the poor That the Image of the Cross, & other Images are not to be worshiped, and that he had cast the Cross of Brome hold into the fire to be burnt, which he took from one of Ludney, which he denied, & purged himself by three Laymen, and three Priests & was sworn, as before.
In this year, Henry the fifth sent a most cruel Commission unto John Exeter, and Iacolet German, keeper of the Castle of Colchester, for the apprehending of sir William White Priest, and Thomas Chaplin of Setling in Norfolk; and William Northamton Priest, and all other suspected of Lolardy, and to commit them to prison, by virtue of which Commi •• ion, six persons were attached in Bu • gay of Norwich, whose names were so defaced through antiquity, that there remained but three names in the worn book to be red, to wit, John Teaderton in Kent, Bartholomew Monk of Ensham in Norfolk, Corneleader▪ a ma • ie • man; these three were in the custody of the Duke of Norfolk, in the Castle of Fremingham. We find also in the Diocese of Norfolk, and Suffolk, specially in the towns of Bechels, Ersham, and Ludney within the space of three or four years, 120. men and women, which sustained great vexation for the profession of Christ's Faith, whose names are recited in the book at large; the Articles that were generally objected against them, were; That auriculer confession is not to be made unto a Priest, but unto God, because no Priest hath no power to absolve a sinner. That no Priest can make the body of Christ in the Sacrament, and that material bread remaineth after consecation. That every true Christian man is a Priest to God. That none is bound, under pain of damnation, to Lent, or other days prohibited. That the Pope is Antichrist, and his Prelates Antichrists disciples; and that the Pope hath no power to bind and lose on earth; and that it is lawful to do any work, except sin, upon the holy days. That Priests may have wives lawfully. That the Communications of the Prelates are not to be regarded. That it is not lawful to swear in private causes. That men ought no go on Pilgrimage, nor give honor unto Images of the Cross, of our Lady, or other Saints. That holy water hath no more virtue then other water. That the death of Thomas Becket was neither holy nor meritorious. That relics, as dead men's bones, ought not to be worshipped, or digged out of graves, or set up in Shrines▪ That prayers made in all places are acceptable to God. That men ought not to pray to any Saints, but only to God. That bells, and ringing in the Church were ordained to fill the Priests purses. That it is no sin to withstand the Ecclesiastical precepts. That the Catholic Church is only the Congregation of the elect; they did so agree in uniform faith, that whatsoever one did hold, all did maintain.
William White, being a follower of John Wycliffe, yet labored continually, unto the glory of his spoute Christ, by reading, writing, and preaching. The principal points of his Doctrine were these which he was forced to recant at Canterbury.
That men should seek for forgiveness of sins only at God's hands, that the wicked living of the Pope, and his holiness, is nothing else but a devilish estate, and heavy yoke of Antichrist: therefore an enemy to Christ's truth, that men ought not to worship Images or other Idolatrous paintings, nor the holy men which are dead. That the Romish Church is the fig tree that Christ cursed, because it brought forth no fruit of the true belief. That such as wear Coules, or are anointed, and shorn, are the Lance-knights, and soldiers of Lucifer, and that all of them, because their lamps are not burning, shall be shut out when the Lord Christ shall come: after his said recantation he was much more stronger in Christ, and confessed his error and offense, and busying himself in preaching and converting the people to the doctrine of Christ in Norfolk, he was apprehended by virtue of the Kings letters aforesaid, and brought before the Bishop of Norwich, by whom he was contemned of 30. Articles and burned the said year in Norwich, who was of so devout and holy life that all the people had him in great reverence. One Margery wright confessed, if any Saints were to be prayed unto, she would rather pray unto him then any other, when he was come to the stake, thinking to open his mouth to exhort the people, one of the Bishops servants struck him in the mouth. Thus he received the Crown of Marterdome, to the grife of all good men in Norfolk; his wife following his steps, by • er teaching, confirmed many in the truth. Wherefore she suffered much trouble and punishment that year. By the said Bishoppe the same year also was burned father Abraham of • olchester, and John Waddon Priest, for the like Article.
Amongst them that were arrested, and caused to abjure; in this year▪ as aforesaid▪ was Thomas Pie, and John Mendham of Aldbor • ough, who being convicted upon diverse Articles before mentioned, were joined penance six whippings about the 〈◊〉 Church of Alborrough, before a solemn Procession, six several Sundays; and three whippings three several Market days about the Market Place of 〈…〉 heads, necks, legs, and feet bare▪ their bodies only covered with their 〈◊〉 and breeches, either of them carrying a taper in his hand, of a pound weigh • , which t • pe, the last Sunday after the Penance 〈◊〉 , they should devoutly offe • unto the high Altar of the Church of Alborrough, at the time of the • ffe • tory of the high Mass; and that going about the Market pl • ce aforesaid, they shall make four stays▪ everyone to receive devoutly three whips, and if they would not obey this monition, they were to be cited to appear before the Bishop, to show cause why they should not be excommunicated, and to receive such punishment as Justice shall provide in that behalf, this was their 〈…〉 of penance, howbeit some were often more cruelly handled, and after banished out of the Dioces: and others were more stra • lie used by l • ng imprisonment, whereof we will briefly rehearse one or two for example.
John Beuerley, alias Bat • ile, a laborer, having lie • long in Irons, and having nothing proved against him, the Commissary made him swear, that every year after he would confess is slune, once a year unto his Curate, and receive the Sacrament at Easter, and for his penance, the Friday, and Saturday next following, he should fast br • ad and water, and upon the Saturday be whipped from the Bishops Palace 〈◊〉 Norwich, about all the streets, and the Market place, having in his hand a wax candle of two pence, to offer to the Image of the Trinity, after he had done his penance; and because he had eaten flesh on Easter day and was not shriven in Lent, nor received on Easter day, the Judge enjoined him he should fast Tuesday. Wednesday, and Friday, in Whitsun week, having but one meal a day of Fish and other white meats, and depart out of the Dioces, and never come there again.
John Skilley of Flixton Miller, was forced to abjure, for holding the Articles aforesaid, and for receiving certain godly men into his house, had a most sharp penance▪ seven years imprisonment in the Monastery of Langly. and to fast with bread & water, every Friday, and to appear every Wednesday in the beginning of Lent, and every Monday, and Thursday for two years after the seven years, before the Bishop, his successor, and Commissary in the Cathedral Church of Norwich, together with other penit • ntiaries, to do open penance for his offense, diverse others the same year were forced to abjuration and penance.
In this next year, in the same Register, were sixteen, or seauenteene, that were examined, and did penance likewise, amongst whom was John Baker, otherwise called Usher Tunstall, who for having a book with the Pater noster, Ave, and Creed in English, and for other Articles of Fasting, Confession, and invocation, was constrained to abjure, and do such penance as others did before him.
Another was Margerie Ba • kster, wife of Willam Backster, against whom, one Joan Cliffe and was compelled by the Bishop to depose. First, that she bad her take heed of swearing, else a Be would sting her tongue, and venom her soul: and that she rebuked her for saying Pater nosters to the Cruci • ixe, and Ave Mary's to our Lady; saying, you will do ill in 〈◊〉 , or praying to such Images, and that God will give no more reward for such prayers, then a • endle, put under the foot, will give light in the night, saying, that lewd wrights of stocks hewe such Crosses and Images, and lewd Painters gleere them with colors, and opened her arms, and told her, this is the true Cross of Christ: And that she said, if every Sacrament were God and the very body of Christ, then 1000. Priests and more, do every day make a 1000. such God's, and eat them, and void them out of their hinder parts, filthily stinking under every hedge, where you may find many such God's. It shall never be my God, it was falsely and deceitfully ordained by the Priests, to induce simple people to Idolatry. for it is only material bread. And that Thomas of Canterbury, whom the people cal • Saint Thomas, was a false Traitor, and damned in Hell. And that the Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and especially the Bishop of Norwich, and others that support Heresies, and Idolatries, shall shortly have the same, or worse mischief so fall upon them, then that cursed man Thomas of Canterbury had, for they cursedly dec • iae the people with false m • mmetries, to extort money to maintain their pride, riot, and idleness, and have slain the true Preachers or Go •• Law. And that she said, that none was bound to fast in Lent, or other days appointed. and that it was lawful to eat flesh, and other meats upon the said days that Pope S • luester made the Lent. And that William White was a good man, and falsely condemned, and at his execution, when he would have exhorted the people, a Devil, one of Bishop Caiaphas his servants, stroc • e him on the lips, that he could not declare the will of God. And that she taught her not to go to Pilgrimage, to the Lady of Walsingham, or any other Saint or place. And that she desired this deponent, and her maid, to come in the night to her chamber, to hear her husband read the Law of Christ unto them. And that she said, that the people did worship Devils which fell from Heaven with Lucifer, and entered into the Image which stand in the Churches, so that the people which worship Images • omit Idolatry. And that holy bread and water are but trifles. And they are excommunicated that first ordained bells, And that the Saturday after Aswednesday, she had a pot seething over the fire, with a piece of Baken and Otmeale seething in it. Others also were sworn, which confirmed the former depositions, but we finds no mention in Regester what became of her.
Diuerse good men, this year were accused by the deposition of one William Wright, their names appear in the book at large. And the said William Wright deposed that it is read in the Prophecies amongst the Lollards, that their sect shall be, in manner, destroyed, yet at the length it shall prevail, and have the victory against all her enemies.
John Burrell, servant to Thomas Moon of Ludney, in the Dioces of Norwich, was apprehended, and it was objected against him, besides the Articles before mentioned, that he held that the Catholic Church, is the Seules of every good Christian. That Lent, and other Fasting-days, were ordained of the Priests, and not of God: and that men may eat flesh, or fish indifferently upon those days: That Pilgrimage ought not to be made, but to the poor. That it is not lawful to swear, but in c • se of of life and death. That Masses, and prayers for the Souls of the dead are vain, and that the dead are either in Heaven, or Hell, for there is no Purg • tory, but this world. He was forced to 〈◊〉 and suffer like punishment as before.
Thomas Moon of Lud • ey was apprehended, and the Articles aforesaid laid against him, especially that he had received, comforted, and supported diverse, upon which he being con •• ct, was forced to abjure, and receive like penance. Robert Grigges, of Martham was brought before the Bishop for the Articles aforesaid, especial • y for affirming that the Sacrament of confirmation by the Bishop did avail nothing to salvation, that it was no sin to withstand the ordinances of the Church of Rome, that holy bread and water were but trifles, and that they were the worse for the con • urations and characters made over them, he was forced to abjure and suffer penance as aforesaid.
John Finch of Colchester, was taken in Ipswich, and brought before the Bishop, and being convicted of the aforesaid Articles, was enjoined penance three whippings three several Sundays in solemn Procession about the Cathedral Church of Norwich, and three whippings about the Market place, three principal market days; his head, neck, and • eete bare, his body covered only with a short shirt, with a taper of wax of a pound weight in his hands, which the next Sunday after his penance, he • should offer unto the Triuitie, and every Ashwednesday, and Monday, and Thursday three year after, he should appear before the Ordinary, in the Cathedral Church, to do open penance amongst other penitontiar • es.
About the same time, shortly after the Coronation of King Henry the sixth, one Richard Houeden a wool winder, and Citizen of London, was crowned with Martyrdom, whenby no persuasions he could be drawn from the opinions of Wycliffe, as Fabian writeth, he burned hard by the Tower of London.
Nicholas, Canon of Eye, was brought before the Bishop of Norwich, and many witnesses being sworn against him, they appointed one to speak for them all. First, that on Easter day, all the Parish going of Procession, he went the contrary way, deciding them, and meeting them. He confessed it, and • houg • t he did well therein. And that he should say; If the Sacrament of the Alter be very God, and very man, then God may be put in a small room, as when it is in the Pri • sts mouth. And why may not we 〈…〉 as well upon F •• days and other prohibited days, as the Priests eat the flesh and blood of our Lord every day. To which he answered, he thought he had spoken well therein.
Item, that on Corpus Christi day, at the elevation of high Mass, when all kneeled down, and held up their hands, and did reverence to the Sacrament, he went behind a pillar, turned his face from the Altar, and mocked them. He affirmed, he thought he did well in so doing.
Item, when his moth • r would lift up his right hand to cross himself from the 〈◊〉 and assaults of the Devil, he mocked her. This, he thought, it was well done.
Item upon All-ballend day, at the elevation of the Mass, when many lighted torches, 〈◊〉 them up to the Altar, and kneeled down there, in honor of the Sacrament, he standing behind the Priest with a fozeh, turned his back to the Priest, and would 〈◊〉 no • euerence. He said, he did well therein.
Item, that he said, he doubted whether in the Sacrament of the Altar were the very body of Christ or no. This Article he confessed to be true.
Item, that he believed that a man ought not to confess his sins to a Priest. This Article he also confessed. After, he was convicted, and enjoined for penance three whippings about the Cloister of the Cathedral Church of Norwich, before a solemn Procession, barefooted and bare headed, as the aforesaid ponitentiaries, and to be kept in prison until the Bishop came into the Dioces, least he should enuenoms the flock. Thus you have the troubles, which in the aforesaid four years, happened in Norfolk and Suffolk, having shown certain notable examples, sufficient to declare the rest, for their opinions, neither their penance did differ, otherwise then by these examples may be seen.
Thomas Bagley Priest, Uicar of Malden, being a valiant Disciple, and adherent of Wycliffe, was condemned by the Bishops of Heresy, at London, about the midst of Lent, and was disgeaded, and burned in Smithf • eld.
The same years was Paul Craws a Bohemian, taken at Saint Andrew's, by the Bishop, and delivered to the Seculer power, to be burned, for holding contrary opinions touching the Sacrament of the Altar, the worshipping of Saints, auriculer confession, with other of Wycliffe's opinions.
Thomas Rhedon a Frenchman, a Carmelits Frier, which take their name of Mount Carmelus, came with the Uenitian Ambassadors into Italy, trusting that he should find there some, by whose good life he might be edified, but the success of the matter did frustrate his hope, for he found nothing but hypocritie, and gold and silver instead of heavenly gifts; pomp and pride reigned in place of godliness, in steed of learning and study, flo • h • ulnesse and superstition, and for Apostlolike simplicity tyranny and hautinesse; they did so pass all measure and patiencs, that he could by no means refrain his tongue, in so great corruption of the Church, and by continual preaching, got great envy and hatred. The Rulers began to consult together, by what means they might circumvent this man's life, for it is a continual custom amongst the Prelates, that if any man displease them, and speak anything which is hurtful so their lucre, by and by they frame Articles of some heresy against him, overwhelm him with suspicion, seek to entangle him with questions, and so condemn him, and destroy him. This is their godl • nesse and peaceable order: they gathered these Articles against him. That the Church lacketh reformation: That it shall be punished, and reformed: That 〈◊〉 , Jews, Turks, and Moors shall be converted unto Christ in the latter days: And that abominations are used at Rome: That the unjust excommunication of the Pope is not to be feared, and those which do not observe the same, do not sin: Eugenius was Pope, then this good man Thomas Rheden was taken and brought before him, and from thence to prison, and after sundry grievous torments was brought before the Judges, and was condemned to be burned four years after he came to Rome.
In this year the marvelous invention of Printing was first found out, by one John Guttenbergh in Strawsborrow, and afterwards by him made perfect in Ments, our days declare how profitable this hath been unto all the world: if we consider that thereby ignorance is utterly banished, the truth declared, and the Pope and Antichrist utterly subverted, which could never have been, if this most worthy Science had not been found out, for before Books were so scarce, and at such excess price, that few could thereby attain to knowledge: herein the prophesy of the Sybils is fulfilled, that Flaxe and Lime should overthrow Antichrist.
Reynold Peacock, Bishop of Chichester, was for his godliness and profession of the Gospel afflicted and tormented, and made to recant, and after put to death in prison: he was brought before Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, in which Conuocation the Duke of Buckingham was present: whereas besides many other Articles, the presence of bread in the Sacrament was laid unto Pecock; insomuch that the Sacrament, the knot of amity, ordained by Christ, to the great comfort of the Church, through the envy of Satan, it turned into a matter of most grievous discord, that no matter hath continued so many years more pernicious to man's salvation: He declared many things worthy of a good Divine: they labored for their dignity and gain, and so much the more earnestly, because they had gotten an Adversary, whose authority the higher it was in the Church, i • would bring the greater ruin of their tyranny and estimation among the people. First, the matter was attempted by private Coloquies; after by a terrible Judgment, threatening present death, with threatening exhortations, mingled with flattering promises, granting him further time to consult, that the delay of death might make his life the sweeter: They gave him hope of his life and Dignity if he would recant, till at length his mind began to quail: by and by a recantation was made by the Bishops, the effect whereof followeth. Which when he declared unto the people, he did so pronounce that he was carried again to prison, from whence he could not be delivered but by death: The Articles that were mentioned in the Recantation to be recanted were, that first it is not necessary to believe that CHRIST after his death descended into Hell, that it is not necessary to Salvation to believe in the Catholic Church, nor to believe the Communion of Saints, neither the body material in the Sacrament: and that the universal Church may e • re in matters pertaining unto Faith; and that it is not necessary to salvation to believe the general Council.
We shown before in the latter end of the Council of Basil, how Eugenius was deposed, and Felix Duke of Savoy elected Pope. Wherevpon arose great discords. Eugenius sent his Orators into Germany, to persuade them to infringe the Council of Basil, and the Dolphin of France, set on by the said Eugenius, led an army of five and twenty thousand men into Alsatia, and laid siege unto Basil to disturb the Council, having there a great conflict with the Germans with great slaughter, whereby the Council could not be kept any longer in Germany, but in France through the pragmatical sanction of the French King After Eugenius brought to pass by the Emperor, and his Orators of which Aeneas Siluius was one, that they were content to give over the Council of Basil. Frederick of Austridge not being yet Emperor, but laboring for the Empire, brought to pass that Felix, which was chosen Pope in the Council of Basil, was content to resign his papacy unto Nicholas the eight, successor to Eugenius, of the which Nicholas, the said Frederick was confirmed Emperor at Rome, and there crowned in the year one thousand four hundred fifty and one.
This Pope, to gather great sums of Money, appointed a Jubilee in the year of our Lord 1450. there resorted great number of people to Rome, more then at any time before were seen there. At which time, as there were a great sort of people going to Mount Uaticane, to behold the Image of our Savior, which they had there to show to Pilgrims, a Mule of the Cardinals of Saint Mark coming that way, the people for multitude being not able to void the way, one or two falling upon the Mule, there was such a throng, that two hundred men and three horses were strangled upon the bridge, and many fell over into the water and were drowued: wherefore the Pope caused the small houses to be plucked down, to make the Bridge broader. In the year 1453. Constantinople was taken by the Turks.
In the year one thousand four hundred fifty five, when the death of Pope Nicholas was published, the Germans bewailing their miserable estate, persuaded the Emperor that he should be no longer under the Popes obedience, except they first obtained certain things touching the Charter of Apeales, showing that they were in worse case then either the French-men or Italians, and as it were their Servants, and especially of the Italians: that they alone had not the use of their Laws, and that the French Nation had not made their suit in vain unto their King, against the exactions of the Popes, by whom they were defended, which also provided decrees for the liberty of his people: The Emperor promised, he would provide for them, no less then the King of France had done for the French-men. But Aeneas Siluius brake off the matter, saying; Though there be variance amongst Princes in weighty matters, yet peace may be made again: but between the Prince and the Common people, there is always mortal hatred, and because he should be Successor unto the Pope; he concluded, he thought it better to accord to the Pope, then to follow their desires, whose minds are led with covetousness, rather then by reason: and the Emperor chose him Ambassador to Pope Calixtus, to swear unto him in his Name, and to promise the absolute obedience of all Germany. Thus twice Fridericke of Austrich contemned and derided the Germans, frustrating them of their native ordinances, and brought them into subjection under the Pope, which was the cause that seven years before his death, he caused his Son Maximillian to be crowned King of the Romaines, least after his death the Empire should be transported unto another Family, as it afterwards came to pass. Whereupon Germany being in this miserable poverty, and grievous subjection of the Popes tyranny and polling, with tears and sighs lamenting their estate, continued so almost unto Luther's time, as those Histories hereafter do testify.
The Ambassador of the Arch-bishop of Maydenburge, Henry Token, writeth, that in the Council of Basel, the Arch-bishop of Lions did declare, that in Pope Martines time, there came out of France to the Court of Rome, nine millions of Gold, which was gathered by the Bishops and Prelates, besides the poor Clergy, which daily without number run unto the Court of Rome, carrying with them all their whole substance.
The Arch-bishop of Turonne said, also at Basel, that three Millions of Gold in his time came to Rome in fourteen years of the Prelates, besides the poor Clergy, which daily run to that Court. Let the man which feareth God, judge what a devouring Gulf this is, a million containeth ten hundred thousand.
Sir Roger Ounley followed the Lord Cobham, and Sir Roger Acton being a Knight of like Nobility and Order, and partaker of the like cause: a man endued with like valiantness and godliness, whom we read in certain Annals to be hanged for the truth, 1441.
Although there have been many Women which have followed their spouse Christ by torments, banishment, and death; yet the first that cometh to our hands, is Elinor Cobham, a Woman, nothing degenerating from her stock, kindred and name, albeit we can find no other thing of her but for suspicion of heresy, that is to say, for the love and desire of the truth, she was by the papists banished into the I • e of Man, whom a few years after there followed a woman, who for her constancy and virtue was greatly to be praised, being mother of the Lady Yong, she persevered unto the fire with a stout and manly courage, for the profession of the Gospel, and was burned.
Hieronimus Sauonarola, being singularly well learned, and a Monk in Italy preached sore against the evil life of the spiritualty, especially of his own order, saying they were the springs of all mischiefs, and by the help of certain learned men, began to seek reformation in his own order.
The Pope fearing him, being in great reputation amongst all men, least he should diminish his authority, he ordained his Uicar to reform this matter. But the said Jerome withstood him always: wherefore he was accursed, yet he left not off preaching, but threatened Italy, with the indignation of GOD, and prophesied that the Land should be overthrown, for the pride and wickedness of the people, and for the untruth and hypocrisy of the Clergy, which came to pass when King Charles came to Rome, and besieged Pope Alexander that he was forced to make composition with him.
Because the said Jerome would not leave preaching, he was commanded to appear before the Pope to give account of his new learning, but he went not. Then was he again forbidden to preach, and his learning condemned as false and seditions, whereby he left off preaching: But when the people • ore hungered for God's Word, and were instant upon him that he would preach again, he began again to preach in Florence; many exhorted him to the contrary, but he regarded it not but went forward freely.
When the Pope and his Shauellings heard thereof they were greatly inflamed against him, and cursed him as an obstinate heretic: yet he proceeded in teaching the people, saying men ought not to regard such curses which is against the true doctrine and the common Prophets; for by preaching we should be learned and amended, Christ's Kingdom enlarged and the Kingdom of the Devil overthrown. He desired to teach no other thing then the pure word of God, often protesting, that all men should certify him if they heard him teach any thing contrary thereunto: for in his conscience he knew nothing which he had taught but the pure word of God. What his doctrine was, may easily be judged by his books he wrote. After that he was taken, with two Friers with him which favored his learning, named Dominick and Sylvester, and carried to prison, where he wrote a godly meditation upon the most comfortable one and fiftieth Psalm; wherein he excellently described the strife betwixt the flesh and spirit. The Popes Legates came to Florence, and called forth these three good men, threatening them marvelously, but they continued still constant. Then they gathered Articles against them, whereupon they were condemned, and were first hanged up openly in the market-place, after burned to ashes, and the ashes cast into the river of Ar • e.
This man foreshowed of the destruction of Florence, Rome, and the revenues of the Church, and that the Turks and Moors in the latter day should be converted to Christ, and that one like unto Cyrus should pass the Alps into Italy, and utterly destroy it.
Philip Norice an Irishman, professor at Oxford, though he was not burned, yet he was long time troubled with the religious rout.
Thomas Norice for the profession of the Gospel was by the Bishop condemned and burned in Norwich.
Elizabeth Sampson was convented in the Consitory of London for saying our Lady of Wildesdon was a burnt arst else and stock; and if she could help men and women which go to her on pilgrimage, she would not have suffered her tail to be burnt: and why would she or the Lady Crome that puppet, be worshipped? It were better to give alms to the poor then to go on pilgrimage, and that she called the Image of S. Savior, Sin Savior with Kite lips, and that she said she could make as good bread as that which the Priest occupied, and that it was not the body of Christ, for that Christ could not be both in heaven and earth at one time: wherefore she was compelled to abjure.
One Thomas, a Priest of Norwich, was burned in the village of Eckels. When he was in prison, by persuasions, he was led away from his former opinions, wherefor for penance he went to be burned upon sharp hurdles made of Thorns.
Joan Baker of S. Margets in new Fish-street in London, for saying to the Parish Priest of Bow, that the Crucifix was not to be worshipped, and that she was sorry she had gone so many times on pilgrimage to S. Savior and others, being they were but Mammots and false God's, and that she could hear a better Sermon at home then at Paul's Cross; and that she said, the Lady Yong died a Martire, and that Samson's Wife was punished for saying the truth, and that the Pope hath no power to forgive sins, she was constrained to abjure.
One Thomas Bingy, an old reverend man, was burned at Norwich, because he had not received the Sacrament in 14. years, and abhorred the Popish kind of administration thereof.
One Pope, a Weaver in Eye, an old man, about the quarrel of the Sacrament, was martyred.
About the same time, one Peake was burned at Ipswich, because he gave one of the Sacrament Cakes unto a Dog, the Dog was burned in the fire with him, whereat he laughed, saying; they did the Dog great wrong, because he was not abjured: for it was the manner, that those which they called Heretics, might be saved if they would recant.
Complaints of the Germans to Maximillian the Emperor, against the Popes oppression.
FIrst, the Popes think themselves not bound to observe the Bulls and privileges granted by their Predecessors, but will dispence with, and rebuke the same at the instance of every vile person. That the election of Prelates is oft put back, and the election of Presidentship of money-places obtained with great cost: as the church of Spire and Hasels, whose Bull for the election of their President, is made frustrate in the life of him that granted it.
That the greatest Ecclesiastical Dignities, are reserved for Cardinals and Notaries.
That expectatiue Aduousons are granted without number, so that much Money is laid out for such Aduousons, and in going to Law for them: whereupon is this proverb; He that will have an Aduouson at Rome, must have 100. or 200. pieces of Gold for the obtaining thereof, that he need no • to prosecute Law.
That yearly Reuenues are exacted without mercy, for new Offices and new Servants: That the rule of Churches, are given at Rome to them that are more fit to feeds Mules: That new indulgences are granted with revocation of the old, to scrape Money together.
That tenths are exacted, by pretence of making war against the Turk and no expedition followeth thereon; and that the causes which might be determined in Germany, are carried unto the Court of Rome.
That it is intolerable to the Germans to pay so great A • mats for the confirmation of the Bishops and Arch-bishops, where the Arch-bishop of Ments was wont to pay but 10000. Florins for his confirmation, It was after augmented to 20000. Florins, then to 25000. Florins, and at last to 27000. Florins: And in one Popes time, this was seven times paid out of the Arch-bishopprick of Ments, that the Arch-bishop hath been fain to borrow it of Merchants, and to pay them again, forced to exact a Subsidy upon his poor Husbandmen, so that our people are brought to extreme poverty, and moved to rebellion to seek their liberty, grievously murmuring against the Clergy. James, Arch-bishop of Ments said at his death, he was sorry for nothing, as for that his poor Subjects should after his death be forced again to pay a grievous exaction for the Pall: therefore let the Pope, as a godly Father, deal more favorably with his Children the Germans, least men follow the example of the Bohemians, and swerve from him, especially let him be more favorable unto the Bishops, that die so soon one after another: whereof there be fifty Bishoppricks, besides many Abbots in Germany that are confirmed at Rome, otherwise Germany will want treasure and Munition of war against their enemies, and to preserve peace, and minister Justice to every man, and banish away murderers and thieves, and repair Churches and Monasteries and Hospitals, and other necessaries.
There were besides these 100. grievances, complained upon to the Popes Legates, in the reign of the Emperor Charles the fifth, out of which we have but touched certain which we thought to be most effectual.
First, that many things are commanded and forbidden by men's Constitutions, contrary to the commandment of God, as innumerable lets of Matrimony, and the use of meats forbidden, which are created for man's use, & are indifferently to be received with thanks-giving: by which Constitutions, men are brought into bondage, until by Money they obtain dispensations, so that Money maketh that lawful to the rich, which is prohibited to the poor, by which snares of men's Laws, great sums of Money are gathered out of Germany, and it breeds private offenses of the poor, when they see themselves entangled in these snares, only because they have not the thorns of the Gospel, for so Christ often calleth riches.
That those that have received Ecclesiastical orders, being free from the punishment of Secular Magistrates, do presume in sinning, and are maintained therein by the principal estates of the Clergy. They attempt the chastity of Matrons and Uirgins, and by gifts and flattering, they bring to pass, and by their secret confessions, that many, which otherwise would live honest, have been overcome and moved to sin: and often they keep wives from their husbands, and daughters from their Fathers, threatening them with fire and sword that require them. They offend liuewise daily, in robbery, murders, accusing of Innocents, burning, rapine, theft and counterfeiting Coyne; besides many other mischiefs, and the Bishops cannot openly punish them, except he disgrade them; and they are bound by their Charters, that they dare not punnish them; therefore necessity and Justice doth require, that the said privileges of the Clergy should be abrogated, and that they should have the same judgment as the Layty for such offenses.
That Christians are excommunicated for vain and profane causes, for desire of filthy luker, whereby the weak in faith are burdened, and brought to despair, where a man ought to be excommunicated only for heresy.
That there are so many holy days, that Husbandmen have scarce time to gather the fruits of the earth, which were brought forth with so great travel: and upon these holidaies innumerable offenses are committed.
If any fight or shed blood in any hollowed place, it is interdicted, and cannot have anymore service done in it, until all the Citizens, with great pomp and expenses, have caused it to be now consecrated, which charge redound upon the Laity, and none but the Suffragans can baptize Bels, who do affirm, that Bels so baptized, will drive away evil Spirits and T • mpests. Whereupon many Godfathers are appointed: and such as be rich, at the baptising, hold the Bell-rope, the Suffragan speaking for them, and they all answer, and name the Bell, it having a new Garment upon it: then they go to sumptuous banquets, to which the Gossips are bidden, the Suffragan and his Chaplains are sumptuously fed, and yet he must have a reward, that in small Uillages 100. Florins are often spent about such Christenings.
The Officials of the Arch-bishops for the most part are unlearned men and of evil conditions, taking thought for nothing but money, where they ought to correct the offenses of the Laity, they burden them with most grievous offenses, and spoil and rob them of their goods.
When causes belonging to the temporal Court are handled in the Spiritual Court, the Eclesiasti • all Judges will by no means be entreated to remit them to their ordinary Jurisdiction, but if the Temporal Court ho • d any Pley which belongeth to the Spiritual Court, the Judge shall be excommunicated, they say they may take profane matters into their hands if the civil Magistrate be negligent in executing justice, but contrariwise they will not suffer that the like order shall be kept with them by the civil Magistrate if they be negligent, and for their insatiable desire of money, they suffer and maintain usury, and they take yearly pensions to suffer the Clergy unlawfully to dwell with their Concubines and beget children by them, this none can deny except he will make himself as blind as a mole, and if a man and his wife be long one from another by reason of war or otherwise, the Officials for money will suffer them to commit adultery, calling it suffera • ce; not without great offense and contempt of matrimony.
The Cannons Cathedral and other Colleagiall Churches, which have power to choose their Superior and Bishop they will choose none except he swear and be bound by deed insealed, that in no matter never so grievous he shall be against them, and not to punish any of them if he do offend.
The Bishops and Officials in some places do not only suffer Priests to have Concubines, so they pay for them, but compel chaste Priests (which live without Concubines) to pay tribute for Concubines, affirming the Bishop to be worthy of such money, whereby it is lawful for them either to keep Concubines or no.
These and many other Articles were offered up to the Emperor, in the next assembly of the Princes and States at Wormes, the Archbishops and other States of the Clergy, but hitherto they have not begun to amend anything.
After Nicholas the fifth succeeded Pope Calixtus the third, he ordained at noon and evening the bell to tole the Aues to help the soldiers that fought against the Turks, and for that purpose ordained the Feast of the transfiguration of Christ, solemnizing it with like pardons and indulgences as Corpus Christi day, and contrary to the Councils of Constance and Basell, he decreed none should appeal from the Pope to the Council, and he Canonized for Saints S. Edmond of Canterbury, with diverse others: after him succeeded Pius secundus, which was AEneas Siluius wh • ch wrote the two books aforesaid of the Council of Basel, at that time he was a man of indifferent judgment, from which being Pope he swarned, seeking by all means to abollish the books which before he had written.
The Proverbs of this Pius.
THe divine nature of God may rather be comprehended by faith then by disputation.
Christian faith is to be considered not by what reason it is proved but from whom it proceedeth.
A covetous man cannot be satisfied with money, nor a learned man with knowledge.
Learning ought to be to a poor man as silver, to noble-men as gold. and to Princes in steed of precious stones.
An artificial Oration moveth fools but not wise men.
Sutors in the Law be as birds, the Court is the bayt, the Judges the nets, and the Lawyers the fowlers.
Men are to be given to dignities, and not dignities to men.
The office of a Bishop is heavy, but it is blessed to him that doth well bear it. A Bishop without learning may be likened to an Ass.
An evil Physician, destroyeth bodies, but an unlearned Priest destroyeth souls.
Marriage was taken from Priests not without great reason, but with much greater reason, it ought to be restored again.
He dissolved certain Nuns of the orders of Saint Bridget, and Saint Clare, bidding them depart out that they should burn no more, nor cover a harlot under the vesture of Religion.
The Epistle of Hulderick is abridged in this Book before: therefore omitted now.
After this Pius secundus, succeeded Pope Paulus secundus, who was wholly set upon his belly and ambition, void of all learning, and a hater of all learned men: because his Daughter was reproached, for that she was gotten in fornication Hes went about to reform the Law of the single life of Priests, had not death prevented him.
After him succeeded Sixtus the fourth, which built in Rome Stews of both kinds, and thereby got great Reuenues and Rents unto the Church of Rome: He reduced the year of Jubilee from fifty, to five and twenty years: he instituted the Feasts of the Conception, and of the presentation of Mary, and of Anna her Mother and of Joseph; he canonized Bonaventure, and Saint Francis for Saints; he brought in Beads and made our Ladies Psalter, through Alanus and his Order: He made two and thirty Cardinals in his time.
Petrus Ruerius was the first, who in two years spent in luxurious riot 200000. Floreines, and was left six thousand in debt: This Pope licenced the whole Family of the Cardinals to play the Sod • mites the three hot months; June, July, and August.
After him succeeded Innocentius the eight, as rude & unlearned as his predecessor: at Polus he caused eight men, and six women, with the Lord of the place, to be condemned for Heretics, because they said since Peter none was true Uicar of Christ, but they only which followed the poverty of Christ.
He condemned of heresy George the King of Boheme, and deprived him, made his whole stock to be rejected, and gave his Kingdom to Mathias King of Panonia.
Pope Alexander the sixth succeeded him: He received two thousand Florins for poisoning Gemen the Turks brother at Rome. He sent for help of the Turks against the French King: He was ungrateful to the Cardinals that chose him: He commanded Marcinellus one of them to have his hands and tongue cut off, for speaking against his vices. After sitting with his Cardinals, and the rich Se • ators of Rome at dinner; his man unawares bringing a wrong Bottle unto him he with his Cardinals about him were poisoned: In his time the Angel which stood on the top of the Popes Church was beaten down with thunder; which thing seemed to declare the ruin of the Pope-dome.
Pius the third succeeded Pope: after him Julius the second, passing all other in iniquity, as he was going to war, he cast the keys of S. Peter into the river Tybris, saying, being the keys of Peter would not serve him to his purpose, he would take himself to the sword of Paul.
By this Julius, partly with war, partly with cursings, in seven years 200000. Christians were destroyed: he got many Cities out of Princes hands by bloodshed: when he was made Pope, he took an oath to have a Council within two years; but breaking his Oath, he was occupied in wars: whereupon nine of his Cardinals departed from him, and appointed a Council at P • sa, they alleged the cause, for that the Pope was forsworn, and that they had diverse other crimes to accuse him of, purposing to remove him from his seat, which he had obtained through bribes and ambition. Julius commanded under great pain that none obeyed them; the next year he called a Council.
The French King seeing the Pope take part with the Uenetians against him, called a Council at Thurin, in which Council they agreed, that the Pope ought not to war against any Prince without cause: and that it was lawful for the King to defend himself against him, and that unjust excommunications were not to be feared. After the King sent to the Pope the decrees of the Council, who accursed the French King, with all his Kingdom: and the next year after this warlike Pope died.
The lamentable handling of RICHARD HVN, who was privily murdered in Lolards Tower in London.
HVN had a Child died in his house, the Curate claiming the bearing-sheet for a Mortuar • , Hun answered; The Infant had no property therein, whereupon he was cited to the Spiritual Court; he sued the Curate in a Premunire, and then the Priests of malice accused him of heresy, and brought him to Lolards Tower, where he was found dead, hanging by the neck in a girdle of silk. The Bishop of London called Richard Fitziames and Doctor Horsey, his Chancelor said • e hanged himself; and the Temporalty said he was murdered: The Coronor summoned a Jury, and viewed the body, and many times they were with the Kings Council, and heard their opinions, but in the mean season the Bishop burnt the dead carcass in Smithfield, to the abomination of the people: but after the matter had be • e heard by the Kings Judges, and after by the Kings Council, the King being present; at las • Doctor Horsey the Chancelor, and one Charles the Bel-ringer of Paul's, an • Joseph the Bishops Somner, were indicted of murder, and the said Charles being in the Tower of London, of his own free will said; that Master Chancelor devised and wrote with his own hand all the heresies that were laid to Huns charge, and that when Richard Hunne was slain, John Bell-ringer bare up a Wax Candle, and I went next to him and Master Chancelor came up last, and Hunne was lying in his bed: and Master Chancelor said, Lay hands on the Thief, and so all we murdered him, and I put the girdle about his neck, and John Bell-ringer and I did heave him up, and master Chancelor pulled the girdle over the staple, and so Hun was hanged.
The said Charles, told Julian Little his maid, he killed him by putting a Wyer up into his nose.
Before that time the Chanceller commanded to be put upon Huns neck a great collar of Iron, with a great Chaine, which is to heavy for any man or beast to wear, and long to endure. And before Huns death, the Chanceller came into the Lolards Tower, and kneeled down before Hunne, holding up his hands and asked him forgiveness▪ of all he had done and must do to him. And on the Sunday before the night in which he was destroyed, he caused the Penitentiary of Paul's to go to Hun and say a Gospel, and make for him Holy Water, and Holy bread, and give him, which was done.
The Bishop did all he could by word or writing to the King and Cardinals, and the Council▪ to smother the matter, affirming that he hanged himself, and that the Jury was forsworn, and that the said Charles spoke that which he had done as before, by reason of durance of imprisonment: and that if the King and Council should favor this matter, he should not be able to go abroad for Heretics; and by the means of him, and the spiritualty, and money, the Chancelor caused the Kings Attorney to confess on his arraignment, him not to be guilty: so he escaped to Excester, and for shame never durst after come to London.
The History of Doctor WESALIANVS.
THis Wesalia was complained upon to Piorherus Archbishop of Mainz, by the Thomists, which is an Order holding of Thomas de Aquino. The Bishop made him answer, he should give up all his works and writings which he had made and preached. This being done, they divided them amongst themselves, that every man might find out what errors and heresies they could. His Articles and opinions were these:
That all men be saved freely and through mere grace by faith in Christ Jesus: free-will to be nothing; only that we should believe the word of God, and not the gloss of any man or fathers: that the word of God is to be expounded by the collation of one place with another: that Prelates have no authority to make laws or expound the Scriptures, by any peculiar right more then another: that men's traditions, as Fastings, Feasts, long prayers, Pilgrimations, and such like are to be rejected. Extream unction and confirmation to be reproved, confession and satisfaction to be reprehended: the primacy of the Pope he also affirmed to be nothing. Upon which Articles this Wesalia by a general assembly was condemned, and his books to be burned.
He bring required of the Council, what he thought of the Uicar of Christ in earth? He said he believed that Christ left no such Uicar in earth: for ascending into heaven he said, Behold I am with you &c. By which words he declared that he would substitute under him no Uicar in earth: for a Uicar signifieth one who in the absence of the principal hath to do the works of the principal.
And being asked his opinion of Indulgences and Pardons: he said he believed that the treasure-box of the merits of Saints could not be distributed of the Pope to others, because their treasure is not left here on earth: for it is written in the Revelation, Their works follow them; and that their merits could not be applied to other men, for the satisfaction of their pain due to them: and he called Indulgences and Pardons pias frauds fidelium.
And being asked the question, he said, He thought that hallowing of Altars, Chalics, Uestments, War Candles, Palms, Hearbes, Holy water, and other divine things, made them have no spiritual power in them to drive away any Devils, and that holy water had no more efficacy then other water, concerning remission of veniniall sins and driving away Devils, and other effects which the School Doctors attribute unto it.
After these Articles were condemned by the Inquisitor and his assistants, he said, As you do with me, if Christ himself were here he might be condemned as an heretic: but within three or four days, with much persuasions, he was content to condescend unto them, and submit himself to their holy mother Church.
Doctor VESELVS.
THis Veselus and the foresaid Vesalianus were great friends: and when Vesalianus was condemned, this Veselus thought that the Inquisitor would also examine him. He was so worthy a man, that the people called him Luxmundi. He reprehended the Papists doctrines of the division of Repentance, and Purgatory, and works of Supererogation, and Pardons, and Indulgences, and disputed against them at Rome and at Paris; so that many of the Popes Court persuaded by him, began to speak more freely and more boldly against these matters then himself did: he disallowed the abuses of the Masses, prayers for the dead, and the Supremacy of the Pope, and that no such supreme head over all others ought to be in the world: and that the Pope hath no authority to command, but so far as truth goeth with him, and that he ought not to prevail by commanding, but by teaching that the Pope and the Prelates proceeding against Christ's Doctrine, are plain Antichrists. He said those Priests that had vowed not to marry, and were not able to be chaste might break there vow.
He said that their forefathers before Albert and Thomas did resist the Popes indulgences, and called them Idolatry, fraud and error: in his Book de subditis & superioribus; he disputeth against the Pope, and his Prelates: affirming, except their Faith be sound, they are not to be obayed, and that the Pope may err, and men ought to resist him therein, that superfluous riches in the Clergy do not profit but hurt.
That the Pope doth wickedly distribute the rents of the Church, and the Church itself to unworthy Ministers by Simony for hir own profit: whereby it appeareth he careth not for GOD nor the Church: That the precepts of the Pope and Pr • lates bind no farther then the precepts of physitions, that is so far as they be wholesome, and stand with the truth of the word; that the Pope can command nothing under pain of deadly sin, but what God commandeth: The Kingdom of heaven, is rather shut then opened by the Popes keys, as the Pharisees did: that the hearers ought to discern and Judge the Doctrine of the Prelates, and not to receive all things they say without due examination.
He prophesied to John Ostendorpius, well my Child thou shalt live to that day, that the Doctrine of these new and contentious Divines of THOMAS and BONAVENTVRE, with other of that sort, shall be utterly rejected from true Christian Divines: And he often disputed of the righteousness of faith, and why Saint Paul did so often inculcate that men be justified by faith and not by works, that all men were deceived who attributed to Traditions any opinion of GOD'S worship, or that they could not in any wise be violated or broken.
MARTIN LVTHER.
THus proceeding in our Story (by the aid of Christ) we approach unto the time of Martin Luther; at what time it pleased God by his great mercy to reform the desolate ruins of religion by the industry of this Luther, sent & set up by the mighty spirit of Christ, to abolish the abuses and pride of Antichrist, which so long had abused the simple flock of Christ.
Many prophesies went before of this time, as of the aforesaid prophesy of John Hus and Jerome of Prague, that a hundred years come and gone they should give account to God and him. This prophesy was in the year one thousand four hundred and fifteen; so to this time one thousand five hundred and sixteen was just an hundred years.
Philip Melanchthon maketh mention of a Monk about fiftis years before this time, named John Hilton, in Thuring, who was cast into prison for speaking against certain abuses of the place and order where he lived: and being weak and feeble, he desired the Warden of the Convent to respect his woeful case; he rebuked him for that which he had spoken: he said he had spoken nothing prejudicial to their Monkerie or religion, but there shall come one in the year one thousand five hundred and sixteen, which shall utterly subvert all Monkerie, and they should never be able to resist him.
The Angel falling from the high pinicle of the Popes Church into the River Tybris in the year 1500. might well portend the ruin of the Pope.
And the strange sight in Germany as before in the year 1501. of the crosses seen upon men's garments, and figures of c • owns of Thorns, and of Nailes, and of drops of blood fell from heaven, that many days after the women carried them upon their garments, might declare the like.
Likewise the other Dream of John Hus as before: how that some abolished the Images of Christ in his Church of Bethlehem: but next day new Painters painted the same, and more Images of Christ, and fairer, and the Painters with the multitude of the people said, now let the Bishops and Priests put out these Images if they can, whereby much people rejoiced, and I arising up felt myself to laugh: he interpreted the painting of Christ's picture, his preaching of Christ which should be destroyed, and the other Painters new Preachers, whose Doctrines the Bishops and Priests should not be able to resist.
By these and such like prophesies it was evident, that the time of restoring the Church was not far, as also the hearts of the people, which at that time were inflamed so with hatred against the pomp and pride of Rome, and there contempt and derision began to arise on every side, for there de • estable doings were not so secret, but they were seen and abhorred. Wherevpon grew many proverbs of derision: as, what is this to see the world round about, for that these shauelling priests none may rout.
It is a saying in Italy, as soon as a Priest receiveth r • sure the Devil entereth into him.
It is a saying in Germany, the nearer Rome the further from God: and that all evil beginneth in Nomine Domine, alluding unto the Popes Bulls: and when Bulls come from Rome bind well pour purses.
He that goeth once to Rome seeth a wicked man: he that goeth twice knoweth him, he that goeth thrice bringeth him home with him.
The Court of Rome never regardeth the sheep without the wool.
Once were wooden Chalices, and golden Priests: now we have golden Chalices and wooden priests.
Once Christians had blind Churches, & light hearts: now they have light Churches, and blind hearts.
Many are worshipped for Saints in heaven, whose souls be burning in Hell.
It was a saying in France four hundred ye • res before this time, that Satan was let loose at Rome to destroy the whole Church.
Thomas Becke • writ to the Cardinals, that it was a common Prouerb, that there is no right in Rome.
By these and such like innumerable Sayings it doth appear what Judgments the people had in those days of the Romish Clergy, which was of GOD as a secret prophesy, that Religion should be restored shortly, as it came to pass in this year one thousand five hundred and sixteen: in which year Doctor MARTINE LVTHER first began to write: before whom Picus Mirandola, and Laurentius Valla, and last of all Erasmus Roterodamus had somewhat broken the way before, and had shaken the Monks houses, but LVTHER gave the stroke, and plucked down the foundation, all by opening one vein long hid before, wherein lieth the touchstone of all truth and Doctrine: as the only origin of our salvation, which is our free Justification by our Faith only in Christ: the laborious travels and constant preachings of this worthy man: because they are at large in the History of John Sleydan, I need not to stand thereon.
Luther was borne in Isleben in Saxony, he was a Student in the University of Magd • burge and Erford: where Veselus was an old man, as before is mentioned: of whom it seemeth to be that Luther speaketh of an Old Man there, of whom he learned many things touching Faith, and he thus expressed unto him the Article of remission of sins: we may now generally believe only, that sins are, and have been remitted to some, as the Devils believe they were remitted to Peter, or David, but that God's express commandment is, that every man should believe particularly his sins are forgiven: and this is confirmed by Saint Bernard, in his Sermon upon the annunciation, add that thou believest thy sins are forgiven thee; this is the Testimony that the Holy Ghost giveth thee in thy heart: and this is that the Apostle saith, a man is freely justified by Faith: by whose words Luther said he was strengthened, and at last by prayer and reading he perceived that Doctrine more evidently.
After he began to expound the Epistle to the Romans and the Psalms, so Diuinely that he seemed to all the faithful and learned a shining light, which began to clear after the long cloudy sky; he shown the difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel: He confounded the error that then reigned in the Schools and Sermons, teaching that men merit remission of sins by their proper works, and were just before GOD by outward Discipline, as th • Pharisees taught. But Luther expressly shown that sins are freely remitted for the love of the Son of GOD, and that we ought faithfully to embrace this bountiful gift: His life was likewise correspondent to his profession, whereby it appeared his words were not lip-labor, but proceeded from the heart, whereby many notable personages consented with him in his opinions: at this time Luther altered nothing in the ceremonies, but taught this only doctrine as the principal of all others; to wit, the Doctrine of Repentance, of remission of sins, of Faith of true comfort in time of adversity, every man received good taste of this sweet Doctrine.
A Dominick Frier named Tecell, caused the Popes indulgences to be carried and sold about the Coontre • . Luther being moved with the blasphemous Sermons of this shameless Frier, set up certain positi • ns against Indulgences openly upon the Temples: This Frier hoping to obtain the Popes blessing, assembled certain Monks, and sophistical Divines, and commanded them to write something against Luther, and in his Sermons, he taught that Luther was an heretic, and worthy to be burned, and he burned Luther's positions, and the Sermon he writ against indulgences: This forced Luther to entreat more amply of things and to maintain the truth. Frederick Duke of Saxony, in the presence of the Emperor, besought Erasmus, his opinion, if Luther had erred, he answered his opinions were good, but he desired he would moderate his style.
Now Luther, the plainer to express the doctrine of repentance, of remission of sins, of Faith and of Indulgences, He added also these matters; the difference of Divine and human Laws; the Doctrine of the use of the Lord's Supper, of Baptism and vows; touching the Question of the Popes power, Eckius was the Author thereof, to the intent to inflame the wrath of the Pope and Princes against Luther.
Upon this the Supper of the Lord was published to be used in both kinds: private Mass was omitted, and the Monasteries abandoned, but this alteration was by Carolastadius in the absence of Luther.
He held in contempt the seditious Doctors of that time, as Monetarius and the Anabaptists, but especially the hor • ed Bishops of Rome, who arrogantly affirmed that Saint Peter had not only the charge to teach the Gospel, but to govern common-weals.
In the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and one and twenty, Luther entered into Wormes being sent for by the Emperor Charles the fifth King of Spain, and Arch-Duke of Austrich, who in the first year of his Empire made an assembly of Princes in his regal City. And whereas Luther had published three years before, certain new propositions to be disputed on at Wittenburg, against the tyranny of the Pope, which were torn in pieces and burned by the Papists. Wherevpon, they began to tend to uproar, and yet Luther maintained openly his cause against the Clergy: Wherevpon by the solicitation of the Romaine Legates, LVTHER was sent for by the Herald of Arms, with Letters of safe conduct by the Emperor and Princes: whereupon he came as before and was visited of many Earls, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Priests and the Comminaltie, who frequented his lodging until night.
He came contrary to the expectation of many, and of his adversaries; for they thought he would not come, because his books a few days before were condemned by public proclamations, and many persuaded him not to submit himself to any danger: who answered, since I am sent for, I am resolved to enter into Worms, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, though I knew there were so many Devils to resist me, as there be tiles to cover the houses in Wormes.
The fourth or fifth day after he came to Wormes, he was enjoined at four of the clock in the afternoon, to appear before the Emperor, Dukes, and other estates of the Empire, to understand the cause he was sent for. And standing before them, he was commanded silence until he was interrogated. Then was asked him, whether those books were his which were written in his name, a great company of them lying before them? and if they were thine, whether thou wilt recant, and revoke them, and all that is contained in them, or rather meanest to stand to that which is written in them? Then Luther's Advocate desired that the titles of the books might be read, which was done.
Luther answered, He could not but acknowledge those books to be his, and that he would never recant any clause thereof: and for the justifying of them he desired some time to consider, because there be questions of faith, and the salvation of the soul, wherein it were dangerous, and a rash thing to pronounce anything without good advisement.
After they had consulted, the Officiall said, Though thou doest not deserve to have opportunity given thee to determine, yet the Emperor of his mere clemency g • anteth thee one day: tomorrow at this time thou shalt render before him; conditionally, thou do not exhibit thine opinion in writing, but pronounce the same with lively voice.
At which time, when he was appointed to answer, he answered to this effect; All my books are not of one sort: there be some in which I have so simply and Evangelically entreated of the religion of faith and honest conversation, that my very enemies are compelled to confess they be profitable, and worthy to be read of all Christians; and the Popes Bull judgeth certain of my books inculpable: if I should revoke these, I should condemn that truth which friends and foes confess.
There is another sort of my books, which contain invectives against the Pope and doctrine of the Papists, as against those which have corrupted all Christendom bodily and spiritually, with their pestiferous doctrine, and pernicious examples: for I cannot dissemble this, when the universal experience and common complaint of all bear witness, that the consciences of all faithful men have been most miserably entrapped, vexed, and most cruelly tormented by the Popes laws, and doctrine of men: and further, their substance devoured, specially in this famous Country of Germany.
If then I should revoke these, I can do none other but augment force to their tyranny, and not only open windows but wide gates to such an infernal impiety, the which will extend more wide and with more liberty then yet she durst, and by the testimony of this my retractation, their insolent and malicious Kingdom shall be made most licentious, and less subject to punishment, If I Luther should do this by the authority of your most excellent majesty.
The third sort of my books I have written against private persons, such as with tooth and nail labor to protect the Romish tyranny, and deface true religion, which I have taught and professed; I confess, against these I have been more violent then my profession required: if I should recant these, it would come to pass that tyranny and impiety shall reign, s • pported by my means.
• Nevertheless, as Christ when he was examined of his doctrine before Annas, and having received a buffet of the Minister, said, If I have spoken ill, bear witness of the evil. If Christ, which was assured he could not err, refused not to have testimony given against his doctrine, how much more I that cannot but err, ought earnestly to entreat, if any will bear witness against my doctrine: and if any can by Scripture convince me of error, I will revoke any manner of error, and be the first that shall consume my books with fire. I conceive no greater delectation in anything then when I behold dissensions stirred up for the word of God; for such is the course of the Gospel, as Christ saith, I came not to send peace upon the earth but a sword: I came to set a man at variance against his father.
And we must think our god is terrible in his Councils against his adversaries, lest the condemning of the word of God turn to a huge Sea of evils, lest the Empire of this young and bounteous Prince Charles be lamentably and miserably begun. I could amplify this with authorities of Scripture, and Pharo, the King of Babylon, and the Kings of Israel, who then most obscured the bright Sun of their glory, and procured their own ruin, when they attempted to pacify their Realms in this manner.
Then the Emperors Ambassador checked Luther, saying, he had not answered to any purpose, and that he ought not to call in question things long time ago defined by general Councils: therefore they required whether he would revoke or no. Then he answered, If I be not convicted by testimonies of Scriptures and probable reasons (for I believe not the Pope nor his general Councils) I will not nor may not revoke anything: for it is ungodly to do against my conscience.
Then the Embassador replied; if all such as impugn that which was decreed by the Church and Councils may once get this advantage, to be convinced by the Scriptures, we shall have nothing established in Christ • ndom.
Luther answered, the Councils oft gainsaid themselves, and that he was able to prove that Councils have erred: and night approaching, the Lord's arose; and after Luther had taken his leave of the Emperor, diverse Spaniards scorned and scoffed at him, hollowing and whopping after him a long time.
After, there were bills set up against Luther, and others with him: but this was subtly done of his enemies, as it was thought, that there might be occasion offered to infringe the safe conduct given him, the which the Roman Embassador with all diligence endeavored to bring to pass.
When he was sent for to the Archbishop of Triers, they protested unto him they sent not for him for disputation, but beningly and brotherly to exhort him: and they said, though the Councils had erred, yet their authority was not thereby abased, neither was it lawful for every man to impugn their opinions, and that Decrees, Traditions of men, and Ceremonies were established to repress vices according to the qualities of times, and that the Church could not be destitute of them. the tree is known by his fruits. These laws have much profited.
And they alleged that Luther's books would breed great tumult and incredible troubles, and that he abused the common sort, with his book of Christian liberty, encouraging them to shake off their yoke, and to confirm in them a disobedience, and that now the world was at another stay then when the believers were all of one mind.
And albeit he had written many good things, and doubtless with a good spirit, yet now the Devil hath attempted by wily means that all his works for evermore should be condemned: and by these last works, it is easy to know the tree by the fruit, not by the blossoms, often repeating in his Oration that this admonition was given of singular good will and great clem • ncie: in the shutting up of his Oration he added menasings, that if he would abide in his purposed intent, the Emperor would exterminate him his Empire.
Luther answered to this effect, That the Council of Constance had erred in condemning this Article of John Hus, That the Church of Christ is the communion of the predestinat, and that we ought rather to obey God then man.
There is an offense of faith, and an offense of charity: the slander of charity consisteth in manners and life, the offense of faith and doctrine consisteth in the word of God; and they commit this offense which make not Christ the corner stone. And if Christ's sheep were fed with the pure pasture of the Gospel, and the faith of Christ sincerely preached, and if there were good Eclesiasticall Magistrates who duly executed their office, we should not need to charge the Church with men's traditions.
And that he knew and taught, that we ought to obey the higher powers, how peru • rsly soever they lived, so that they enforce us not to deny the word of God.
Then they admonished him to submit himself to the Emperor and the Empires Judgment, he answered he was well content, so that this were done with authority of the word of God, and that he would not give place except they taught sound Doctrine by the word of God, and that St. Augustine writeth, he had learned to give honor only to the Canonical books of the Scripture, and touching other Doctors, though they excel in holin • sse, and learning he would not credit them unless they pronouced truth, and St. Paul saith, prove all things, follow that which is good, and again, if an Angel teach otherwise let him be accursed, finally, he meekly besought them not to urge his conscience, captived in the bands of the word of God, to deny that excellent word.
After the Arch-bishop sent for Luther to his Chamber, and told him for the most part that at all times holy Scriptures have engendered errors, and went about to overthrow this proposition that the Catholic Church is the communion of Saints, presuming of cockle to make wheat, and of bodily excrements to compact members; Martin Luther and one Jerome Schu • ffe his companion reproved their follies.
He was oftentimes assailed to reform the censure of his books unto the Emperor and Empire, or to the General Council, which he was content to do, so they would judge them according to the word of God, otherwise not, aleaging the words of the Prophet, trust you not in Princes, nor in the children of men wherein is no health, also, cursed be he that trusteth in men: and when news came he should return home, he said, even as it hath pleased God so it is come to pass, the name of the Lord be blessed, and said, he thanked the Emperor and Princes that they had given him gracious audience and granted him safe conduct to come and return, and said he desired in his heart they were reformed according to the sacred word of God, and said, he was content to suffer anything in himself for the Emperor, but only the word of God he would constantly confess unto the latter end: About a year after this, Luther died, when he had lived almost three score and three years, and had been Doctor three and thirty years, he said at his death, O heavenly, eternal and merciful Father, thou hast manifested in me thy dear Son Christ, I have taught and known him. I love him as my life, health, and redemption, whom the wicked persecuted, maligned, and injured, draw my soul to thee, and sa • d thrice, I commend my spirit into thy hands, thou hast redeemed me, God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son that all that believe in him should have eternal life, and so he died, whose death was much lamented:
In the year 1516. the aforesaid French King received from Pope Leo a Jubilee, and pardons to be sold, and so in England under the pretence of war against the Turk, they persuaded the people, that whosoever would give ten shillings should deliver his soul from the pain of Purgatory, but if it lacked anything of ten shillings it would profit them nothing: at that time Martin Luther was in Germany, who vehemently inueyed against these indulgences, aga • nst whom John Eckius put forth himself, they disputed before the people, at last either of their arguments were sent to Paris to be judged by the Sorbonists, the judgment was long protracted: In the mean time Pope Leo condemned Luther for Heresy and excommunicated him, he appealed to the next Council.
Pope Leo commanded Luther's books to be burned openly, Luther also burned the Popes decrees and Decretals in the Uniuersity of Wittenburg.
In the year 1517. the Pope having crea • ed one and thirty Cardinals, thunder, and lightening so strake the Church where the Cardinals were created that it stroke the little child Jesus out of the lap of his mother, and the keys out of St. Peters hands, being Images in the Church of Rome.
In the year 1519. news was brought to Pope Leo at supper, that the Frenchmen were driven out of Italy, he rejoicing said God hath given me three things, I returned from banishment with glory to Florence, I have deserved to be called Apostolic, and thereby I have driven the Frenchmen out of Italy, as soon as he had spoken he was stricken with a sudden fever and died shortly after.
What Godly man hath there ever been for this five hundred years, either virtuously disposed or excellently learned, which hath not disproved the misordered and corrupt examples of the Sea and Bishop of Rome from time to time until the coming of Luther, yet none ever could prevail before the coming of this man, the cause to be supposed is this, other men spake but against the pomp, pride, whoredom, and avarice of the Pope, Luther went further with him, charged him with his Doctrine, not picking at the rine, but plucking up the root, charging him with plain Heresy, as resisting against the blood of Christ, for whereas the Gospel leadeth us to be justified only by the worthiness of Christ and his blood, the Pope teacheth us to seek our salvation by man's merits, and deservings by works, whereupon rose all the Religious sects, some professing one thing, some another, every man seeking his own righteousness▪ but Luther opened the eyes of many which before were drowned in darkness, to behold that glorious benefit, of the great liberty & free justification set up in Christ Jesus, but the more glorious this benefit appeared to the world, the greater persecution followed the same, and where the Elect took most comfort of salvation, the adversaries took most vexation, according as Christ said, I came not to send peace but a sword, therefore so great persecutions in all the world followed after Luther, but in no place more then in England as shall be declared.
In the year 1517. one Cardinal Campeius was sent as Ambassador into England, to gather money for war against the Turk, the Cardinal of York caused him to send to Rome that he might be joined in Legacy with him, and sent him red cloth for his servants, that he might come mo • e gloriously; at every town he was received with procession, accompanied with Lord's and Gentlemen: at Black heath the Duke of Norfolk, with a number of Prelates, Knights, and Gentlemen met him richly appareled, and in the way he was brought into a Tent of cloth of gold, where b • put on his Cardinals Robes and took his Mule towards London, this Cardinal had eyght Mules laden, the Cardinal of York, thinking them not sufficient for his State, sent him twelve mules more w t empty Coffers covered with red, the next day these twelve Mules were led through the Citty as though they had been laden with treasure and other necessaries, to the great admiration of all men, but passing through Cheapeside, the people pressing to behold them, one of the Mules broke his collar and ran upon the other Mules, and they running together, overthrew diverse of their burdens, and so there shown the Cardinals treasure, with great laughter and scorn o • many, and the boys and girls gathered up pieces of meat and bread and roasted eggs, horse shows and old store of such baggage, crying out, behold here is my Lord Cardinals treasure, and the Mulers greatly ashamed, gathered up their treasure as well as they could and went forward, then he was brought to the Cardinal of York, and then to the King, this Cardinal of York, at all times at dinner and supper was served with his Seruitoures kneeling, and many Noble men of England waited upon him, such was his monstrous pride.
Such as were forced to abjure in King, Henry the eyght his reign, after the first beginning of Luther, because there is a great many, and nothing but their bare name ricited, I refer thee to the book at large.
IHon Coines alias Laueland was detected for contemning the Sacrament of the Altar, and because he received not at Easter, who after died at St. Martins.
Robert Ward Shoemaker of St. Brids Parish in Fleetstreet detected by three witnesses for holding opinions against the Sacrament of the Altar died in the Counter of • redstreet.
Matthew Ward, Merchant-venturer, committed to the Counter in Breadstreet, for that he being Priest, was married, and kept company with his wife, and because he was a Sacramentary, and despised auriculer confession, and private Masses, and defended the Communion to be ministered to the Lay people in both kinds, and maintaining that Priests ought to have wives.
Herman Peterson, and James Gossen, Tailors, Duch-men, were committed to the Counter in Breadstreete, because the said James was not confessed in Lent, nor received at Easter, which he said came by the counsel of the said Herman, which counseled him rather to give three or four pence to the poor then to be shrieuen.
Thomas Lancaster, imprisoned in the Counter in the Poultry, for bringing in prohibited books.
John Wilcocke, a Scottish Frier, committed to the Fleet, for preaching against Confession and Holy-water, against praying to Saints, and against Purgatory; that Priests might have wives, and that the people ought not to pray for souls departed. Also, John Goodale was prisoner there.
Nicholas South, committed to Newgate, for not being shrieuen in Lent, nor received at Easter.
There was apprehended for heresy in Coventry, Robert Hatchets, Shomaker, one Wrigsham, a Glover; one Lansd • ll, a Hosier, with three others: and one Mistress Smith, a Widow, because they taught their children and families the Lord's prayer, the Belief, and the ten Commandments in English; they were imprisoned, some in places under-ground, some in Chambers, and other places: after they were sent to Blackstocke Abbey, where they were imprisoned whilst they were there; their Children were sent for before one Stafford, Warden of the Gray-Friars in Coventry, who examined them of their belief, and what errors their Fathers had taught them, charging them upon pain of death, which their Fathers should suffer, that they no ways meddle with the Pater-noster, Creed, and ten Commandments in English, which is heresy. After their Fathers were brought again to Coventry, where four years before they had borne Faggots in the Church and Market. The Bishops and Doctors, they and the said Gentlewoman before them, who told them they should wear Fagg • ts portraied in their clothes, to signify they were heretics. Robert Hatchets answered, we desire no more but the Lord's prayer, ten Commandments, and Creed, in English, which I am sure every Christian ought to have. Wherupon they were judged all to be burned, except the Gentlewoman, who was pardoned: and because it was evening, and her sight dim, the Somner offered to go home with her; as he led her, he heard somewhat rattle in her sleene, and taking it from her, and looking upon it, he found it was the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and ten Commandments in English; so he brought her back again to the Bishop, where she was presently condemned, and burned with the six before. There was another in Coventry, called Robert Silks, which escaped from taking, and two years after was taken in Kent, and sent to Coventry and burned. Then the Sheriffs went to their houses, and took all their goods and Chattels to their own use, leaving their wives and children nothing to live by.
Henry Voz and John Escy, two young Agustine Friars, were disgraded, because they would not deny the doctrine of the Gospel, called Lutheranism, & they thanked God for delivering them from that abhominable priesthood, and making them Priests of his holy order, and that he had received them as a sacrifice of a sweet odor. The greatest error they were accused of, was, that men ought only to trust in God, because mē are Liars. They went joyfully to the place of execution, protesting they died for the glory of God, and the Gospel, believing in the Son of God, saying; This is the day we long desired, being in their shirts, they joyfully imbrased the stake, praising God, singing Psalms, and making testimony of their Faith. A Doctor seeing their iolity, bid them take heed so foolishly to glorify themselves: they answered, God forbid we should glory in anything but the Cross of Christ: Another counseled them to have God before their eyes; they answered, We trust we carry him truly in our hearts. When the fire was kindled at their feet, one of them said; me thinks you strew Roses at my feet▪ Henry being demanded whether Luther had seduc • d him? Yea said he, as Christ seduced his Apostles. He said also, that it was contrary to God's Law, that the Clergy should be exempt from the jurisdiction of the Christian Magistrate, and that Bishops have no power but only to preach the word of God. They were burned at Brussels, after their death their Monastery was dissolved at Antwerp. Their President was called Jacobus Lutherianus, he was forced to recant, but his mind renewed by the holy Ghost, and he fled to Luther.
A Scholar borne at Abbevile, in King Lewis his Palace, took away the Host from the Priest at Mass and brake it in pieces, and trode it under his feet. He was burned in the Swine-market, the pieces of the Host and the pavement whereon it was trodden, were gath • red and laid up amongst the Treasures of the Palace.
After Adrianus the sixth, who succeeded Julius, came Pope Clement 7. whose life is in one verse described; Bellorum hic fomes, cunctorum lerna malorum, he was poisoned with diverse of his Cardinals & familiars with the smoke of torches. In his time wro • e Nicholas Michiauellus, who proveth; that through y • ambition of Popes proceedeth almost all evils & wars amongst Christian men, and that before the year 500. in all politick affairs, the Bishop of Rome ever obayed the Emperors and Kings, & that the Cardinals, in the first beginning of them, were nothing but Popish Priests: but after they invaded the Temporal and Spiritual Jurisdiction, usurping above Kings and Emperors. By three manner of ways the Romain Bishops did creep up, by excommunications, by indulgences, and force of Arms.
In this year the Turk wrote to the master of the Rhodes, to deliver up the Isle as followeth.
Solimanus Tsaccus, King of Kings, and Lord of Lord's, most mighty Emperor of Constantinople and Trapezuntis, &c. Unto the Reverend Father Philip Vilerius Liladamus, great Master of the Rhodes, to his Knights and the Communalty there: The pity of my afflicted people, and your extreme injuries, move me. I command your speedy surrender of your I will of Rhodes, you may obtain Our Grace to depart with your riches: or if you will remain in our Dominion, your liberty shall not be diminished, either in Religion, or paying of tribute: if you be wise, prefer peace before cruel war: if you be overcome, look for extreme cruelty, from which neither your force, foreign aid, nor your walls shall defend you. I swear, by God, the Maker of Heaven and Garth, by the four Histo •• ographers of the Evangelical Histories, by the 8000. Prophets that came from Heaven, and by our mighty God Mahomet, above all others to be worshipped, and the Spirits of my Father and Grand-Father, and by this my Sacred, Royal, and Imperial Head, from our Palace at Constantinople. The very same year the Island of Rhodes was lost, and yeele • d to the Turk, to the great hindrance of all Christendom.
Henry Sudphen, was desired of the Citizens of Breame, to come thither to preach: when they had heard him, they hired him to be their Preacher: when the religious rout understood thereof, they desired of the Senate that such an Heretike might be banished the Town, which preached against the Catholic Church. The Senate sent for the head men of the Parish, and shown them the complaint of the religious men. They answered; They knew no other but that he was a learned honest Preacher: yet if they can prove that he taught anything contrary to the Word of God, they will be ready with them to persecute him, otherwise we will not suffer him of malice to be driven away. The Senate certified the religio • s of this answer, then they certified the Bishop thereof, who sent two of his Council to Breame for the Preacher: they received this answer of the Senators; That being he was hired of the Church-wardens, and was not convicted of Heresy, they could not obtain of the Citizens that he should be carried away. Wherefore they desired the Bishop, that he would send his learned men to dispute with him, and if he were convinced he should be punished, else he • should not depart. After when news came that he preached more and more heinous ma • ter against the religious. Then they admonished the Citizens of Br • ame, into what ieoperdy their Common-wealth might fall by their Preachers preaching, contrary to the decrees of the Pope and Emperor. Further, they said, the Preacher was the Prisoner of the Lady Margaret, and got Letters of her to require her Prisoner, but all would not serve. Then the Bishop decreed a provincial council to be holden at Bream • , which was accustomed to be at Bucksted, whereunto this Henry was called, but the Citizens detained him at home: Then Henry gathered a sum of his Doctrine into a few Articles, and sent it with his Letters unto the Arch • bishop, offering if he were convicted of any error by the Word of God, he would be readi • to recant. But shortly after the religious set upon the Church-porch the Bull of Pope Leo the tenth, and the Decree of the Emperor, made at Wormes, notwithstanding, he proceeded daily in preaching the Gospel. The Papists sent their Chaplains to every Sermon, to trap him in his words, whereby many of them were converted, and the greater part of those that were sent, did openly witness his doctrine was God's truth, against which no man could contend, and such as in all their lives they had not heard, and that they must believe the same, if they would be saved.
At last this Henry was sent for by Letters, by the parishoners of M • ldrophe, to preach the Gospel to them, and deliver them out of the bo • dage of Antichrist, and because he had preached two year at Breame, and that there were men sufficiently instructed in the Gospel to build further: and that the Papists there, were for the most part vanquished, and that their folly was known even to women and children, and that Diedmar lived without a Pastor in the midst of Wolves, he could not with a safe conscience deny their requests.
When he came thither he was joyfully rec • iued of the Parish-priest, and others: The Papists hearing hereof, before he had preached, stormed and fumed, especially the Prior of the Black Monastery, who went to the Officiall, to take council what was to be done, least they lose their Kingdom, they took council to withstand the beginning, that he might not have leave to preach, least their crafts and wickednesses being laid open, it were folly after to resist, remembering what happened at Breame.
The next day early in the morning, the Prior, with the Chancelor, went to the forty eight Presidents, being unlearned men, and persuaded them what a seditious Fellow was come from Breame▪ and there-withal, if they would put him to death, what favor they should have of the Bishop of Breame, whereupon they decreed he should be put to death. Further, they had Letters from the forty eight Presidents unto the Parish-priest, commanding him under great pain, that he • should send away the said Henry without preaching. The Priest marvelled at their meddling in such matters, being it belonged not to them, but the Parish-Priest only to receive and put out a Preacher: and showing this to Henry, he said he was sure he must die for the Gospel, and it was as near to Heaven to die there, as in another place: and being he was sent for, and was sure it would be grateful to the people, he resolved to preach: and after the Sermon, the whole Congregation be wayled, called together the Priors, delivered them the Letter from the Presidents, and that they should be fined a thousand Gildrons, if they suffered him to preach. They were moved, because it was against the custom of their Country as aforesaid: yet they concluded to keep Henry for their Preacher, and defend him. In the after noon he preached again, the next day the Citizens sent Ambassadors to the Presidents, offering to answer all causes for their Preacher, and they declared what godly Sermons he had preached, and the Parish-Priest wrote to excuse himself, that Henry never intended sedition, but to preach the Word truly, and offered himself ready to answer for the said Henry whensoever he should be called: most earnestli • desiring not to credit the Monks, which being blind with hatred and Avarice, would suppress the truth. After he Preached three forenoones and afternoons, and taught cleerelie Justification to be only by Faith in Christ, and not by works, they all rejoiced, and desired God that he would send such a Preacher to continue amongst them. Finally, this Prior and others determined to take this Henry by night, and burn him before the people should know it.
All the Presidents and others that were in this conspiracy, assembled in the Parish of the new Church, in the Councelors house. They assembled above 500. men of the Country, the husband-men would have gone back again when they kn • w the matter, but the Presidents compelled them to stay, and to encourage them gave them three barrels of Hamborow bear: at midnight they came in armor, the Monks prepared them torches, they burst into the Parish Priests house, they took away all things, they fell upon the Parish Priest, crying, kill the thief; they pulled him by the hair of the head out into the dirt; then they run upon Henry, drew him naked out of his bed, bound his hands hard behind him, and drew him to and fro so unmercifully, that a cruel Persecutor of the word cried, let him alone. When they had led him almost all night barefooted upon the Ice, he desired a horse, because • e was weary, and his feet sore cut, they laughed and mocked, saying; must we hire an Horse for an Heretic.
When they brought him to the fire to be burned, a woman offered her self to suffer 1000. stripes, and to give them much money, so they would keep him in prison until he might plead his matter before the whole Conuocation of the Country: then they were more mad, threw down the woman, trod her under feet, and beat Henry unmercifully; one struck him behind the head with a Dagger, another struck him with a Mace, othersome thrust him in the back and rains, as often as he began to to speak: The Chancelor cried, go to boldly, good Fellowes, truly God is pres • nt with us. A Franciscan Friar came to confess him, to whom Henry said; What injury did I ever do • you Brother? The Friar said; never none, then he said, What should I confess unto you, that you can forgive me? when the fire still was kindled, it would not burn, yet they satisfied their minds on him, striking and pricking him with all kind of weapons: then they gat a lather and bound him to it, and cast him into the fire. When he began to pray, and repeat his Creed, one struck him with his Fist, saying; Thou shalt first be burned, after prate while thou wilt: another trode on his breast, and bound his neck so hard to the Ladder, that the blood gushed out of his mouth, and the Ladder being propped up with a Holbert, and slipping aside, the Holbert run through him: then one struck him with a Mace on the breast until he was dead, then they consumed the body in the fire.
Master John Castellane, Doctor of Divinity, having truly preached the Word of God at Metz in Loraine, and many other Towns, and returning from th • nce, was taken Prisoner by the Cardinal of Loraines men: Whereupon they of Metz took certain of the Cardinals Subjects Prisoners, at length, by means from the Pope and otherwise, they were discharged, but John Castellane was kept still Prisoner, and most cruelly handled, but he persevered very constant in the said Doctrine: so they proceeded to the disgrading and cond • mning of him.
Every ignorant man may see the horrible blindness of these vnshamefull beasts, by their hor • ible blasphemies and brutish subtlety, which they use in their Processe against the Children of God: the preamble whereof followeth in effect.
For as much as thou art accused before the Inquisitor, for maintaining false and erroneous Doctrine, and of thine own good will hast confessed it: remembering also, the lamenta • le admon •• ions and charitable exhortations which we made unto thee in the Town of Metz, which you, like the Serpent Aspis have refused to hear, and considering thy answers to our Intergatories, in the which by diabolical Art thou hast hid and kept back the truth, and followed the example of Cain, in denying to conf • sse thy mischeeuous offense, and considering the great number of witnesses and worthy men that deposed against thee, before the Reverend man, Doctor Sauin, Inquisitor, and having communicated our purpose unto diverse most excellent Masters and Doctors, which have subscribed thereunto. Whereby it appeareth, y • thou John Castellane hast oftentimes in diverse places openly taught many erroneous propositions full of the heresies of Luther, against the Catholic Faith, the verity of the Gospel, and the holy Apostolic seat, & so accursedly looked back and turned thy face, that thou art found to be a liar before Almighty God: therefore according to the common Law, such as through the sharp darts of their venomous tongue do pervert the Scriptures, and go about with all their power to pervert and corrupt the souls of the faithful, should be corrected with most cruel vengeance, to fear others to attempt the like, and that all may rejoice in Christian concord, all take example of goodness: therefore having God only before our eyes, and surely considering what measure we do mete unto others, God will measure the like to us again: we therefore pronounce sentence definitive, and Judge thee excommunicate with the great excommunication, and to be culpable of treason against the divine Majesty, and a mortal enemy of the Catholic Church, and verity of the Gospel, and to be a manifest Heretic and follower of the execrable cruelty of Martin Luther, a stirrer up of old heresies all already condemned, and so they disgraded him, and delivered him to the secular Judge.
This done, the Bishop, after a certain manner, entreated the secular Judge for him for the love of GOD, and the contemplation of the gifts of piety and mercy, for the respect of our prayers, that you will not do anything that shall be hurtful unto this miserable man, or tending to his death, or maiming of his body: then the secular Judge condemned him to be burned quick, which he suffered most constantly, that not only many ignorant people were thereby drawn to the knowledge of the verity, but a number, which had some taste thereof, were greatly confirmed.
John Oecolampadius reporteth, how a Prince murdered a good Pastor for preaching of the Gospel, pretending he was in a commotion: he sent a c • uell Gentleman with a number of men to hang this Priest: they came to the Priests house and saluted him: The Priest made them a great banquet, and bad them eat and drink cheerfully: After dinner the Gentleman told his followers they must hang the Priest: They said, God forbid we should do such a crime to hang one that hath entreated us so gently, his good cheer not yet digested in us: The Priest desired them rather to carry him to prison to there Prince, and propounded unto him the gentleness that he had always used to the Gentlemen of the Country in spending his goods to entertain them, and advertised him of the eternal to • ments which would follow an evil conscience, protesting he had faithfully taught the Gospel, and the cause he had the ill will of some, was for sharply and openly reproving the horrible vices of the Gentlemen: The Gentleman told him he should gain nothing by preaching in such sort, for the Prince had commanded him to hang him, whose favor he would not loose, to save his life, so they put him to death.
Oecolampadius reporteth of another godly Priest that when he came to the true understanding of the Gospel: O God, said he, who would have thought it that so many learned and holy men, have wandered out of the right way, and have so long time been wrapped in errors, or that the holy Scriptures had been defiled with such horrible abuses, for he never understood before that the Gospel was the vertty of God, because it containeth much matter touching the cross, persecution, & ignomy: after this good Pastor began to preach the Gospel there, but many which repined, that the Gospel should be freely preached, caused him in the night to be taken by certain soldiers, which bound him hand & foot, and set him upon a horse, and led him up & down by a great rope before his wife and children, & were not moved with their grievous sighs and tears: after they had kept him long in prison, & that he had endured most terrible torments, as well by his privy members, as other parts, they judged him to death, having no other cause against him, but that he had married a wife: when the Friars troubled him about Confession, he said he had already confessed his sins unto the Lord Jesus, nothing doubting but that he had received absolution of his sins; and I said he shall this day be an acceptable sacrifice unto my Savior Jesus Christ: for I have done nothing for which I am condemned displeasing to God, which giveth me a a quiet conscience, and let them which thirst after bl • ud, consider that they offend him, who truly judgeth the harts of men, who saith vengeance is mine and I will punish: I desire to die, I do not much shorten my time, for I am so lean that my skin is scarce able to cover my bones, and I rejoice in nothing but the Cross of Christ Jesus.
Some could not abide these exhortations, and made signs to the hangman to cast him into the River: after he was cast down the River was red, which was a token that innocent blood was shed: they that were present were greatly amazed thereat, and returned home pensive.
An other History by Oecolampadius: an honest man, when he had wrongfully suffered most intolerable torments, for being in a commotion, and was condemned. A Frier being brought unto him, when he was taken out of the dungeon, and see the Frier, He cried with a loud voice; O miserable wretch that I am: now am I betrayed my last hour is at hand: The dream which I dreamed this night will come to pass. The Frier plucking out a wooden cross, said poor man confess thy sins in mine ear, and after thou hast received absolution at mine hands, doubt not but this day thou shalt goo stra • te to the Kingdom of Heaven: Who answered, thou wicked Frier get thee away from me, for I have long bewailed my sins before the face of Christ, who hath forgiven me, I have no need of thy absolution, which thou thyself doest not understand. Thou shouldest long since have amended thy wicked and h • pocriticall life: I know what thou art, thou playest the Ape with me, thou hast a subtle heart which hath deceived much people: if thou hast any comfort out of the Gospel let me have it: if not, get thee away with thy portas: whereat the Frier was confused: The hangman wiser then the Frier, bid him read him something of the Passion: whereat he would take great pleasure. The foolish Frier had no other consolation but to hold the Crucifix of wood, before him, saying b • hold thy Savior which died for thee; Look on him and thou shalt be comforted. He answered, get thee from me thou naughty person, this is not my Savior; my Savior dwelleth in Heaven, in whom I trust that he will not deliver my soul to eternal death: The Frier crossed himself and departed.
The Bishop of Constance caused John Howghly a priest to be burned at Merspurge, for that he would not allow the Popes Doctrine in all points.
John Frederick, heir to the Prince, and Elector of Saxony, was contracted by writings to the Lady Katherine, the Emperors Sister: But when Religion was altered in Saxony, they swerved from their Couenants, and the Empe • ror • Ambassador said, there was no promise to be kept with heretics.
In this year, being the seventeenth year of King Henry the eight his reign, there was great commotion in Suffolk, and Norfolk, by reason the Cardinal had sent commission in the Kings Name that every man should pay the sixth part of his goods: but it was appeased by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and the payment released by the King.
This year the Cardinal took upon him as the Kings chief Counselor: He reformed the house and made new Officers in the house of the Duke of Richmond. Also he established a Council, and established another h • ushold for the Lady Mary, then being Princes of the Realm. He made the King believe he need take no pains: insomuch that the charge of all things was committed unto him: he gave the King the Lease of the Manor of Hampton Court: and the King licenced him to lie in his Manor of Richmond, which K. Henry 7. loved so well, whereat some grudged, saying, see a Butchers Dog lie in the Manor of Richmond: His pride was so high he regarded no man, and was hated of all men.
He came to Paul's the eleventh of January, a number of Bishops, Abbots, and Doctors attended him: there he sat in his Cloth of Estate of rich Cloth of Gold, and Frier Barns for heresy, and two Merchants for eating flesh on Friday, bare Faggots before him.
And this day the Bishop of Rochester preached in the reproof of Martin Luther, and in the honor of the Pope and his Cardinals, insomuch that he forgot the Gospel he preached upon: his Sermon was much commended of the Cardinals and Bishops.
This year the New Testament was first translated into English, and brought into this Realm, by William Tyndale.
This year the good Lodouicus King of Hungary, pursued by the Turk, was fain to take the Marsh, where with his horse falling into a Bogge was swallowed up and • rowned, his body afterwards found, was royally buried in Vienna.
George Carpenter of Emering was burned in Monuchen of Bavaria, for maintaining of these four Articles. First, that he did not believe that Priests could forgive sins; neither that a man could call God out of heaven, neither that God was in the bread that the Priests hang upon the Altar: Fourthly, that the element of water in Baptism, doth not give grace: Then one asked him whether he feared not his Judgment, neither loved his Wife and Children, and if he would recant he should return to them, and be pardoned. Wherevnto he answered, my wife and Children are so dearly beloved unto me, that they cannot be bought from me for all the Duke of Bavaria his riches: But for the love of my Lord God, I will willingly forsake them: as he was going to execution, one bid him believe the Sacrament of the Altar, and not to believe it to be only a sign. He answered, he believed the Sacrament to be a sign of the body of Christ offered for us: Then he said why doest thou so little esteem Baptism, being Christ was baptized: He answered not the baptism of Christ, but his suffering, was our Salvation: Him this day will I confess before the world: He is my Savior in him I will believe: Then one bid him put his trust in God, and say if I err, truly I repent: To whom he answered, God suffereth me not to err: Then one bid him not to hazard the matter, but to choose some Christian brother not to confess thyself unto, but take Council off: He said it would be too long: Then one said, Our Father: He answered, truly thou art our Father, and no other, this day I trust to be with thee. The other said, Hallowed be thy Name: He answered, my God how little is thy Name Hallowed in this world: Then he said, thy Kingdom come: He said let thy kingdom come this day unto me, that I may come to the Kingdom: the other said: Thy will be done in earth as in heaven: He said for this cause, O Father I am now here that thy will may be finished, and not mine: Then the other said, Give us this day our daily bread: He said th' only living bread Jesus Christ shall be my food: The other said, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us: He answered, with a willing mind do I forgive all men, friends & adversaries: The other said, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: He answered O my Lord without doubt then shalt thou deliver me, for I have laid my hope only on thee.
Then one said doest thou think it necessary after death to pray for thee or say Mass for thee: He said so long as the soul is in my body pray for me that God would give me grace & patience, with all humility to suffer death with a true faith: but when my soul is from my body I have no need of your prayers: He was desired of certain to show some sign of belief when he was in the fire: He answered, so long as I can speak, I will call upon Jesus; I have never seen the like constancy of a man, his countenance never changed color: he went cheerfully to the fire and said this day will I confess my God before the whole world: when he was in the fire, he still • ryed Jesus, Jesus; and so joyfully yielded up his spirit.
Leonard Keyser of Bavaria was burned for the Gospel, h • being a Student 〈◊〉 Wittenburg; was sent for by his Brothren, if ever he would see his father 〈◊〉 he should come with speed: and as he was coming, by the commandment of the Bishop of Passaw, he was taken by his Mother and Brethren: His Articles were first that faith justifieth: secondly, that works are the fruits of faith: Thirdly, that the Mass is no Sacrifice or Oblation: That Confession, Satisfaction, the vow of Chastity, Purgatory, difference of days: for affirming only two sacrifices, and invocation of Saints: He maintained three kinds of Conf • ssion; the first of Faith, which is always necessary: the second of Charity, which serveth when any one doth offend his neighbor, he ought to reconcile himself again. Mat. 18. The third is to ask Council of the ancient Ministers of the Church: sentence being given against him, he was disgraded, he was rounded and shaven, & clothed in a short gown, a round Cap set upon his head all cut and iagged, and so delivered to the secular power; As he was led to burning, he said, O Lord Jesus remain with me, sustain and help me, and give me force and power: In the fire he cried O Lord Jesus, I am thine, have mercy upon me and save me; this was the blessed end of that good man.
In this year the Senate & people of Berne, which are most of power amongst the Swiss, assigned a Disputation within the City, and called unto the same the Bishops of Constance, Basil▪ Sed • ne, and Lozanna, warning them to come themselves, and bring their Divines, or else lose their possessions: they appointed that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament should only be of authority, granting safe conduct to all that would come thither, that there should be no chiding, that everyone should speak his mind freely, and in such sort that it might be written, and whatsoever should be there agreed upon, should be ratified, and observed throughout all their Dominions; there were ten Articles to be disputed upon as followeth.
1 The true Church whereof Christ is head, proceedeth of God's Word, perseuereth in the same, and heareth no other man voice.
2 The same Church maketh Laws without God's word, therefore we are not bound to men's traditions, but in as much as they be consonant to God's word▪
3 That Christ only hath made satisfaction for the whole world, to say there is • ny other way to salvation, or means to put away sins, is to deny Christ.
4 That it cannot be proved by Scriptures that the body and blood of Christ is really and corporally received in the Sacrament.
5 The Mass, wherein Christ is presented & offered unto his Father for the quick and the dead, is against the scriptures, & a cont • mely to the sacrifice of Christ.
6 That only Christ is to be called upon as Mediator to God for us.
7 That in the Scriptures there is no place after life wherein souls should b • purged: wherefore prayers, ceremonies, yearly Dyrges and obits, which are bestowed upon the dead; also lamps, tapers, and such other things profit nothing.
8 That no Images should be set up to be worshipped • p the Scriptures, and therefore they are to be taken down in Churches.
9 That Matrimony is prohibit • d to no kind • of men by the word: but every whoremonger is by the word sequestered from the Communion of the Church.
10 That single life unchaste & filthy is most unseemly for priesthood.
The Bishops would not come but sent their Divines: then the disputation was begun by Swinglius, Oecolampadius, Bucer, Capito, Blaurer, and diverse others defended the Conclusions. Amongst others, Conrado Treger an Augustine Friar of great fame impugned them: who at last when he sought for help besides the Scriptures the Masters of the Disputations would not suffer him so to do: Wherefore he departed out of the place, the disputations ended, the foresaid conclusions were approved, by the common consent of the most part, and were ratified & observed in Ber • e, and proclaimed by the Magistrate in sundry places thereabouts: and Masses, Altars, and Images abolished in all places, and immediately after was the like reformation at Constance, and after at Geneva.
Pope Clem: 7. in this year conspired with the Uenetians, & raised a great army, and proclaimed war against the Emperor about the possession of Italy: the Emp •• ror sent his army to Millaine, & took the City & Castle; marching towards Rome, took it & spoiled it, & besieged Pope Clement, with his Cardinals in mount Adrian, and took the pope, who could not be ransomed under 40000. Floreines: This Pope bare great hatred against the Family of the Columni, because it was imperial, and threatened the Cardinal thereof to take away his Cardinals hat, who answered, if he so did, he would put on a helmet to overthrow the Popes triple Crown. Our Cardinal of England hearing of the captivity of his father the Pope, stirred up the King all he might fight with the Emperor, and defend the Faith, and he should receive a great reward of God. The King answered he was sorry for it: but where you would have me defend the Faith; I assure you this war is not for th • Faith, but for temporal possessions: I and my people can by no means rescue him; but if any treasure may help him, take that which seemeth to you convenient. Then the Cardinal made out of the Kings treasure twelve score thousand pounds, which he carried over the Sea with him: then the Cardinal sent his commission to all Bishops, commanding fastings and solemn processions to be had, wherein they did sing the Litany after this sort: Sancta Maria ora pro Clemente Papa: Sancte Petre, ora pro Clemente Papa &c.
The Cardinal passing the Seas, went out of Calais with the Bishop of London, the Lord Sandes the Kings Chamberlain, the Earl of Derby, Sir Henry Gilford, Sir Thomas Moore, with many other Knights and Esquires, to the number of one thousand and two hundred horses, having in his carriage four score Wagons, and threescore Mules and Sumpter Horses: he bestowed great sums of money in hyring Soldiers, and furnishing out the French Kings army, and appointed certain English Captains, in the K. of England's name to go against the Emperor to rescue the Pope: he caused Clarentius king at Arms, to join with the French Herald, openly to defy the Emperor; whereupon ensued great troubles in England, Spain, the low Countries of Flanders, Brabant, and Zealand: all which his privy policies and treasons, were shortly after known to the King.
In this year a Jew in Constantinople was baptized and became Christian, which thing vehemently exasperated the Turks against him: and fearing it should be some detriment to their Mahumeticall law, they sought to kill him, which they did, and cast his dead carcass into the streets, commanding that none should bury it. Wherein the glory of Christ appeared: for the dead corps lying there nine days, was as fresh coloured, without corruption or smell, as if it had been alive; whereat the Turks being astonished, took it up and buried it.
The Cardinal having defied the Emperor, as before, and made him displeased with the King of England, he further whispered in the Kings ear, that the Emperor had evil entreated and imprisoned the Kings Ambassadors in Spain: by which means the Emperors Ambassador in England was imprisoned, and his goods seised, until Letters came to the contrary, and then he was set at liberty. When the Ambassador complained unto the Cardinal, he laid all the fault upon Clarentius, and that Clarentius had defied the Emperor without the Kings knowledge, by the request of the Herald of France, and that at his return he should lose his head at Calais.
Clarentius hearing hereof, came privily into England, and was brought unto the King before the Cardinal knew it, to whom he shown the Cardinals commission, and their gentle entreaty.
When the King heard hereof, and had mused a while, he said, O Lord Jesus, he that I trusted most told me all these things contrary: well Clarentius, I will be no more so light of credence. And from thence the King never put anymore trust in the Cardinal.
Some write that the Cardinal did bear the Emperor such malice, because when the Pope was imprisoned, as before, the Cardinal wrote unto the Emperor to make him Pope; and he sent him an answer that pleased him not: whereupon he writ menacing Letters unto him, that if he would not make him Pope, he would make such a rufling betwixt Christian, Princes as was not this hundred years before, to make the Emperor repent, yea, though it cost the whole Realm of England: the Emperor returned him answer, bidding him look well unto it, lest through his doings it should cost him the Realm of England indeed.
Thus King Henry came to the Title of Defender of the Faith. When Luther had vtterd the abomination of the Pope and his Clergy, and diverse books were come into England. Our Cardinal to find a remedy for it, sent to Rome for this title of Defender of the Faith. After, the Uicar of Croydon preached, that the K. would not lose it for all London and twenty miles about it. When this glorious title was come from Rom • , the Cardinal brought it to the King at Greenwich: and although the King had read it, yet in the morning were all the Lord's and Gentlemen sent for that could be, to come and receive it with honor. In the morning the Cardinal went thorough the backside to the Frier obseruants, and some went round about, and met him from Rome: part met him half way, and some at Court gate; and the King met him in the Hall, and brought him into a great chamber, where was a seat prepared on high for the King and Cardinal. Whilst the Bull was read with all pomp, wise men laughed: then the King went into his Chapp • ll to hear mass, the Cardinal being invested to sing mass: the Earl of Essex brought the bason of water, the Duke of Suffolk gave the asasy, the Duke of Northfolk held the Towell, and so he pr • ceeded to Mass. When Mass was done, the Bull was again published, the Trumpets blew, the Shawmes and Sackbuts played in honor of the Kings new style; and in the midst of dinner the Heralds proclaimed his new style: this was ended with great solemnity.
Not unlike to this was the receiving of the Cardinals hat, when one had brought it to him to Westminster under his cloak: he clothed the messenger in rich array, and sent him back to Dover, appointed the Bishop of Canterbury to meet him, besides an other company of Lord's and Gentlemen: when it came to W • stminster, it was set upon a cubbord with Tapers about it: the greatest Duke in the land must curtsi • thereto, and to him empty seat. And thus much touching Cardinal Wolsey.
He founded a certain new College in Oxford; for furniture whereof he gathered together all the best learned he could hear of; amongst whom were Clerke, Tyndale, Frith, and Tauerner, who after were found to be heretics (as they call them) and were cast into a prison of the College where salt fish lay, through the stink whereof they being infected, the said Clerke, being singular in learning, died.
One Simon Grineus hearing a Sermon of Faber Bishop of Vienna, after the Sermon he followed Faber, and declared unto him that of good zeal he had somewhat to say to him, and said, he was very sorry that a man of such learning should confirm such •• n ••• elious errors, which might be refuted by manifest Scripture. Polycarpus used to stop his ears when he heard any monst •• us errors, how then do you think he would have heard you reason what the Mouse did eat when she gnaweth the consecrated Host? who would not bewail the blindness and ignorance of the Church? Then Faber asked his name: he told him his name was Grineus; and he feigned he was sent for by the King, and had no leisure now to reason upon this matter, and shown that he was desirous of his acquaintance, and entreated him, both for his own matter and the Common-wealth, he would come the next day unto him. He willingly promised him. When he was returned to supper, a stranger, an old man of great gravity told him, the Sergeants would by and by come unto the lodging, sent by he King, to carry Grineus to prison, whom Faber had accused unto the King, exhorting Grineus straight way to depart the Town without delay, and so departed. Th • n we took Grineus and carried him unto the River Rhyne, and conveyed him over in a Boat, and returned. In the mean time the Sergeants were at the lodging, wherefore we judged that this cruel purpose • was frustrate by God's provision; therefo • e let us give thanks to God, which giveth his Angels to be our keepers, and with quiet minds fulfill the office of our vocation.
P • trus Flistedius, and Adolphus Clarbachus, singular Divines, for differing from the Papists touching the supper of the Lord, with diverse other of the Popes traditions and ceremonies, by the Archbishop and Senate were burned in Cullen: this was by reason some divines had preached that the punishment & death of such as these were, would pacify the wrath of God, which at this time plagued Germany; for the sweating sickness did then mortally rage and reign throughout all Germany.
In this year Solymanus the Turkish Emperor passed th • rough Hungary, with an Army of fourteen thousand fighting men, and came into Austrich, where he exercised extreme cruelty; some he bereft of sight, some he rent and mangled in pieces, cutting off their noses, ears, hands, arms and privy members, deflowering Uirgins, cutting off women's paps, openings their wombs with child and burning the young babes: then he besieged Vienna, and assayed to undermine it, and the walls being ou • rthrowne, he assaulted it desperately; and seeing the Soldiers within descend the breach valiantly a month, he brake up the siege, and returned with great dishonor.
The Emperor came to Strawsborough, and commanded the Protestants to be present at Mass which they refused to do: and he called the Prince Elector of Saxony to bear the Sword before him at the Mass; and the Divines resolved, because he was sent for, to bear the Sword and not to hear Mass: therefore he might there present himself. There was an Assembly holden, and diverse Decrees made against the Protestants; and Faber and Eckius forged confutations against them, with diverse other troubles.
At this time the New Testament was newly translated, and imprinted by William Tyndale; wherewith the Bishoppe of London was grieved, and devised how he might destroy it. The Bishop being at Antwarp, and desirous to bring this purpose to pass, communed how he would buy the New Testaments. One Packington, which was a favorer of Tyndale, but made the Bishop otherwise believe, said, My Lord, I can do more in this matter then most Merchants: for I know them that have bought them of Tyndale, and for money I will assure you to have every book of them that is printed and vnsolde. He • ade him get them, and he would pay for them: for he intended to burn every book of them at Paul's Cross. He hereupon declared the matter to William Tyndale: so the Bishop had all the books. After this Tyndale corrected the same again, and had them the second time newly reprinted; so they came abundantly into England. The Bishop sent for Packington to know the reason thereof: he said he bought all that were there, and these were new printed.
One George Constantine was apprehended by Sir Thomas Moore L. Chancelor of England for heresy. My Lord asked him who it was that maintained Tyndale Joy, and a great many more of you? I know they cannot live without help; and thou being one haddest thy part thereof: I pray tell me who helpeth them thus▪ My Lord, quoth Constantine, I will tell you truly: It is the Bishop of London; for he hash bestowed amongst us a great deal of money upon New Testaments to burn them, which hath been, and yet is, our only succor. By my troth, quoth Moore, I think the same: I told the Bishop so much before.
The Towns of Zurich and Berne being at contention with the Towns of the Cantons, stopped all the Straits that there could no victuals pass unto them; wherefore they provided a power to come against them of Berne and Zurich, and fought a great conflict with them: in which fight Swinglius, being Minister of Zurich, was slain, and after his dead corps taken by his enemies and burned: when his body was burned to ashes, his heart was found in the midst of the fire whole, which could not be without the great miracle of God. The like happened after to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury.
In this year the King held a Parliament at Westminster: diverse Articles were put up against the Clergy touching their excesses and extortions, and there was provided for pluralties and non-residents, and for buying and selling of pardons. This so displeased the Clergy, that they called the commons heretics and schismatics: and the Lord's put a book of articles against the Cardinal, that he procured the Legat without the Kings consent, whereby he took away the right of all Bishops, that in all writings to Rome and other Princes he wrote Ego & Rex meus, that he standard the Church of England to be brought into a reprobate sense, sending to Rome to be Legat, to reform the Church, and carried the great Seal with him to Flanders, and that without the kings consent he sent commission to conclude a league between the King and the Duke of Florence, and that having the French pocks, he presumed to come and to breathe on the King, and that he had caused the Cardinals Hat to be put on the Kings coin, that he had sent innumerable substance to Rome to obtain his Dignities, to the great impouerishment of the Realm, with many other things.
The princely possessions and great pride of the Clergy in those days, did not only far exceed the measure of subjects, but surmounted the estates of Kings and Princes.
In Henry the fourth his days the Temporalties in the possessions of the Clergy of England amounted to three hundred twenty two thousand marks by the year. And it appeareth by a Libell given to Henry the eight, compiled by one Master Fish, that the Clergy had gotten into their hands more then the third part of the lande of the Realm, and the goodliest Lordships, Manors and Territories are theirs, besides the tenth part of corn and all things else, and servants wages: and they look so narrowly to their tithes, that they will have the tenth egg, or else the good wife getteth no rights at Easter, and shall be taken as an her • ticke; beside what they get by their four offering days, proving of wills, privy tithes, offerings to pilgrimages, and at their first Masses; everyone that is buried must pay somewhat for Masses and Dirges to be sung for them, else they will accuse their friends and executors for heretics. What money get they for mortuaries, by hearing confessions? and yet will keep no Council; by hallowing of Churches. Altars, Superaltars, Chapels and Bels, by cursing men and absolving them again for money. What a multitude of money gather the Pardoners in a year, by cyting men to the Court and releasing them for money, and what abundance the begging Friers get yearly. There be two and fifty thousand parish Churches in England, and every house in the Realm payeth a penny a quarter to every of the five s • rts of begging Friers, which is twenty pence yearly for every house in England. And the number of the Clergy, reckoned with men, women, and children of the Laie • ie, are but one of four hundred; and their substance draweth nigh to the half of the whole substance of the Realm; and they do nothing therewith but exempt themselves from the obedience of your grace, and translate all power to themselves, and that your subjects may rebel against yon, and be under them, as they did unto your noble predecessor King John: they then interdicted the Realm; wherefore your Realm hath stood tributary, not to any temporal Prince, but to a cruel devilish blood-sucker, drunken in the blood of the Saints and Martyrs ever since: and what do they more? nothing but apply themselves to have to do with every man's wife, daughter, or maid: that Cuckoldrie and baudry should reign amongst your subjects, that no man should know his child: and that their bastards should inherit every man's possessions, they have made an hundred thousand idle whores in your Realm, which would have gotten their living honestly, had not their superfluous riches enticed them to uncleanness and idleness: they catch the p • cks, or be burnt, or the leprosy, and bear it unto another; yea someone of them shall boast amongst his fellows that he hath had to do with an hundred women. When they have enticed men's wives unto them, they spend away their husbands goods, and make the women run away from their husbands; and run away themselves with the wife and goods, bringing man and wife, and children to idleness, theft, and beggary. Who is able to number the broad bottomless Ocean full of evils, that this sinful generation may lawfully and unpunished, bring upon us? Who is she that will work for three pence a day, when she may have at least twenty pence a day to fleepe an hour with a Frier, Monk, or Priest? and who will labor for four pence a day, that may have at least twelve pence a day to be bawde to one of these? What a sort are there that marry Priests Lemans but to cloak the Priests incontinency, and that they may live of Priests for their labor? and who is he, though he be grieved never so sore for the death of his Ancestor, rauishment of his wife or his daughter, robbery, trespass, maim, debt or any other offense, dare lay it to their charge by any way of action? if he do, then by and by he is accused of heresy, and except he bear a faggot they will excommunicate him, and then all his Actions be dashed.
Notwithstanding, the statute to Mortmayne, they do daily get into their hands more lands: the Kingdom of the blood-suckers is like to prevail above your Kingdom; for to them is given daily out of you Kingdom, and that which is once given them, never cometh from them again. What Kingdom can endure, that • uer giveth and receiveth nothing again? All their color for their gathering these things into their hands, is, that they pray for us, to deliver our souls out of Purgatory: without whose prayers, and especially the Popes pardon, we could never be delivered thence: but the truth is, there is no Purgatory, but it is a thing invented by the covetousness of the spiritualty. And if there were a Purgatory, if the Pope can deliver them there with money, he can deliver them without; and if he can deliver one, he can deliver all, and so destroy Purgatory, and then is he a cruel tyrant, without all charity, if he keep them in prison and pain until men will give him money. They will not let the New Testament go abroad in the mother tongue, lest their cloaked hypocrisy, and that their cruelty, uncleanness, and unmercifulness be seeue, and that they seek not Christ's honor but their own, that remission of sins are not given for the Popes pardon, but for Christ by true faith in him. And except your Majesty suffer their hypocrisy to be disclosed, the people will think you take away their liberty from them, to buy their souls out of Purgatory by giving to the spiritualty, as their predecessors have done: therefore let their hypocrisy be uttered, and that shall be more speedfull in this matter, then all the laws that possibly can be made.
The Author of this Book was fled to Tyndale, where he wrote this Book for fear of the Cardinal: when the King had read this, he caused his Wife to send for him home, he was brought to the King, and after he had communed with him, and was afraid to go home, the King delivered him his Signet for a Token, to deli • er to the Cardinal, that he should not trouble him. The Cardinal answered; Though this discharged him, yet he had no discharge for his Wife, and sent for her, and had troubled her, if her • Daughter had not been sick of the plague, of which sickness, the said Fish within half a year after died, and she married one Baynham, which after was martyred, as followeth in this Story. To prevent the spreading abroad of this Libell, there was a prohibition sent out • y the Bishop of London, for calling in this the New Testament, and diverse other Books translated into English: the names whereof, because they are many, I omit, and leave you to the book at large.
King Henry, about the twentieth year of his reign, made an Oration unto his Commons, that though it had pleased God to send him a fair Daughter of a Noble woman, and of him begotten to our great comfort and joy: yet it hath been told us by diverse great Clerks, that neither she is Our lawful Daughter, nor her Mother Our lawful wife, but that we live together abominably in open adultery: and when our Ambassadors were last in France, motion was made that the Duke of Orleans should marry our said Daughter: One of the chief Counselors said, it were well done to know whether she be his lawful Daughter or no; because he begat her on his brothers Wife, which is directly against God's Law: Think you my Lord's, that these words touch not my body and soul, and that it doth not daily and hourly trouble my Conscience: I doubt not but everyone of you would seek remedy when the peril of your soul, and loss of your inheritance is laid unto you. For this cause I have asked Council of the greatest Clerks in Christ • dome: and for this cause I have sent for this Legate, as a man indifferent to know the truth, and settle my conscience; and if the Queen be adjudged by the Law to be my lawful Wife, it would be the most acceptable thing in my life, both to clear my conscience and for the good qualities which I know to be in her, besides her Noble parentage, as almost this twenty years I have tried, so that if I went to mary again, & the marriage lawful, I would choose her before all women, & if the marriage prove unlawful, I shall sorrow the departing from so good a Lady, and loving a companion▪ but much more lament that I have so long lived in Adultery, and have no true heir of my body to inherit this Realm: Therefore I require you to make our mind known to our Subjects that they may pray for us.
The Queen hearing thereof, answered, it was a great marvel that they would make question of this now, after they had been married twenty years, and no question in the mean time, and that all the learned at the time of the marriage did conclude it was lawful, and that both their fathers, being so wise did not foresee it, if there had been any such doubt, and the King my father sent to Rome, and with great costs obtained a dispensation, that I being one brothers wife procar • ally known, might without scruple of conscience marry with the other brother lawfully, which license under lead I have yet to show, but I may thank you my Lord Cardinal only for this trouble, this is of malice, because I have won • red at your high pride, and abhorred your voluptuous living, and little regarded your t • ranny, and for the malice you bear to my Nephew the Emperor because he would not make you Pope by force: and the Queen appealed to the Pope.
The King to try out the matter sent first to the Pope, then to most part of all • Uniuers • ties, first the Pope sent his two Legates, Wolsey and Campeius to hear • and decide the Case, they cited the King and Queen personally to appear, or else by Proctors; at the day, the Legates with their crosses, axes and pillars were set, the King was ready to hear the determination, requiring to have an end, notwithstanding from month to month, they detracted the matter until August, the King not taking it well to be so used, sent the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk unto the Legates, requiring them to hasten an end and to defer no longer, it is the manner of Rome, about the beginning of August, during the Dog days, to have a solemn vacation, in which neither Schools be used, nor any Terme kept.
Cardinal Campeius pretending the order of Rome, whereof he was a member, answered, he neither could nor would go against the ordinance thereof, and before October he would proceed no further in the cause: t • e Dukes seeing their pretended excuses, and that by no ways they would be entreated, burst out in open defiance, the Duke of Suffolk clapping his hands on the table, sware by the Mass▪ there never came Legate or Cardinal from Rome to do good in England, so in anger they departed from the Cardinal: the King for quietness was content to tarry • until October, but before October came, Campeius was called home by letters fr • m the Pope, so the matter was left vndiscussed, the King seeing himself thus deluded, sent again to Pope Clement, desiring to h • ue an answer of the cause, the Pop • would take a pause, and after send him word.
Twelue Universities agreed in one consent, that the marriage was unlawful, and repugnant to the word of God, and that no man is able to dispence with it, but nothing was heard of from Rome, wherefore the King assembling his Parliament sent the Lord Chancellor with twelve of the upper house, to noti •• e the determinations of the Colleages as afore said, unto the lower house: And the same year • the King sent out a Proclamation for the abollishing of the Pope and establishing of the Kings Supremacy, and he brake off with the Cardinal and caused him to be attainted in Premu • ire, and to be apprehended, and the Clergy maintaining th • power Legatiue of the Cardinal, incurred the like premunire, wherefore the Spiritual Lord's were called by process into the Kings Bench to answer, but before • the day of appearence they submitted themselves to the King, offered him an hundred thousand pounds to pardon them by Act of Parliament, and offered him the Title of Supreme head of the Church of England, which they would never confess be • ore, whereby the Pope, by the prou • dence of God, lost his whole Iuris • iction an • Supremacy in England.
Patrick Hamelton a Scottish man, he was of the Kings blood and family, beei •• of the most ancient and Noble stock and name in Scotland, was of the Uniuersity of Marpurge in Germany, he openly proceeding so entreated and judged of matters of the Church, with such praise as passed the expectation of his age, that he made the common people and learned to admire him: Francis Lambert in his Preface D • • icatory maketh mention of him, then he took a companion with him, and ret •• ned home to Scotland, he was not able to suffer the filthiness and blindness of the Country, he was accused of Heresy, and after disputed constantty with the Cardinal and his Band: he confessed Christ to be his only Advocate, excluding the merits of Saints, acknowledged free • ustification by the merits of Christ, and denied Purgatory: At last he was condemned, and the same day after dinner burned: The King being but a Child by the Testimony of his blood, he left the verity o • of God, fixed in the hearts of many.
William Tindal in his Apology against Moore maketh mention of Thomas Hitten, a preacher at Maidstone in Kent, whom the Bishops of Canterbury and Rochester kept long in prison, and tormented him with diverse torments, yet he continued constant, and at the las • they burned him at Maidestone, for the constant testimony o • Jesus Christ, and of his free grace and salvation.
Thomas Bil • ey of the Uniuer • itie of Cambridge, a man of excellent constancy. Cambridge taking root in him, after long barrenness did begin to flourish. He converted many of his fellows to the Gospel: amongst whom was Thomas Arthur, and Master Hugh Latimer, who was Cross-keeper of Cambridge, bringing it on procession days: at last he forsook the University, and went to diverse places preaching, associated with Arthur: the authority of Cardinal Woolsey was then great, but his pride • reater, which declared the vanity of his life, and of the lives of the Bishops and Clergy. Bilney with others, maruelling at the incredible insolency of the Clergy, which they could no longer suffer, they began to preach against this dignity, and against the Pope.
Then the Cardinal which did not greatly fear any power of Kings, but only feared the Gospel of Christ to be preached, least it should detect their Hypocrisy and deceits. Whereupon he caused the said Bilney and Arthur to be cast into prison, then they were brought before the Cardinal and • number of Bishops into the Charter-house of Westminster: then the Cardinal required of them, wherefore they had taught the people the opinions of Luther, which are condemned, and whether he had not once made an oath, not to preach or defend any of Luther's opinions, but to impugn the same. He said, He had made such an Oath, but not lawfully: After he was sworn to make true answer, and not to reveal his examinations.
1 It was laid against him that he preached, though Preachers be restrained nowadays: yet he had warranty by the Word of God, where he said; Go i • to all the world and preach the Gospel. By which authority, every man that hath the gift may preach, and the Pope nor any other can make any law to the contrary, which he confessed.
2 That he said, when crosses were set up against Walls in London, that men should not pisse there: When there were but few men did reverence them, but when in every corner there was a Cross, of necessity men pissed upon the Crosses: So that when there were but few Laws in the Church, then men were afraid to offend them: after ward they made many laws, whereof some are pecuniall, as they call them, and them they do observe; those that are not pecuniall they call palea, and regard them not. To this or the like effect, he confessed he spake.
3 If I should suffer persecution for the Gospel, yet there are seven thousand more that would preach the Gospel as I do now: therefore good people think not much if these tyrants put a man to death for preaching the Gospel. This Article he confessed.
5 That every Christian man is a Priest so offer up sacrifice of prayer: and if they murmured against Priesthood, they murmured against themselves: and that we should not pray to Saints nor worship Images.
6 That he should preach at Cambridge: that a Bachelor of Divinity, or any other knowing the Gospel, should be let from preaching by no man: and if any Bishop did accurse them for so doing, their curses should return to themselves. All these he confessed.
Master Luther did recant, and submit himself unto the punishment and judgment of the Church: but these Interrogatories were ministered unto Master Bilney;
Whether he believed the assertions of Luther impugned by the Bishop of Rochester were detestable: Whether general Councils and Constitutions where or ought to be observed of all men even for conscience, whether the Popes Keys were no • profitable, or against God's word, whether the Catholik • Church may err, or whether it may be demonstrated or pointed out, or else whether it is a spiritual Church known to God, whether Images of Saints ought to be worshipped of all true Christian • , whether a man may believe that there is not yet any Judgment given upon the sou • es departed, whether a man may believe that our Lady remained not always a Virgin? whether Holy days and fasting days may without 〈◊〉 be broken by any private man? whether we are bound to be obedient to Bishops and Kings as unto Parents? whether the Church do godly, in praying to Saints? whether all true Christians be Priests, and have the Keys of binding and loosing? whether faith may be without works and charity? whether it is more agreeable unto faith, that the people should pray in their own tongue, or in a learned and unknown tongue? whether children should be taught the Lord's prayer without the salutation of the Virgin? whether beads be to be denied or no? whether Scriptures ought to be translated into English or no? whether Organs and all manner of songs ought to be in the Churches? whether a Bishoppe have any Temporal power? whether it be a godly Constitution that no man should preach in an others Dioces without lycence of the Bishop? whether vows of private men cometh of the spirit of God? whether we should pray for the dead, or that there is a Purgatory? whether Moral philosophy help the understanding of the Scriptures? whether the Popes pardons are to be • ejected? whether there may be any Moral ver • ues without the grac • of Christ? whether Salvation and damnation come of necessity and nothing to be in our own wills? whether Images ought to be taken out of the Churches? whether preachers should exhort men to Pilgrimage or to the worshipping of relics? he in a manner confesseth them all.
He answereth that he did believe the assertions of Luther, and that men were not bound to believe Councils and Constitutions, and St. Augustine in his tim • marnailed, that we could live in safety amongst so many snares of Constitutions, when Adam and Eve could not observe one.
Fourthly he said that the Catholic Church cannot err in faith, for it is the whole Congregation of the Elect known only to God, otherwise no man could be assured of his own or another's salvation, for it is written, no man knoweth whether • e be worthy of hatred or love▪ yet I may truly say of the general Council, congregated by the holy Ghost: Behold here the Catholic Church, denominating the whole by the most worthy part: and he affirmed by the Scriptures, that the faithful have the I • dgment of their souls as soon as they die, and are in Heaven, and that we are bound to obey Magistrates as Parents, and that the people should have the Lord's prayer and the Creed in their own tongue, that their denotion might be furthered by their understanding of it, and might be more expert in their faith: I hau • heard many say, they never heard any speak of their resurrection, and by the knowledge thereof became more ready to goodness, and fearful to do evil, and he would wish that the Scripture were in our own tongue • e, for St. Paul saith, he would rather have five words in a tongue that is known &c. that the Church may be edified, and Ch • isostome bad his hearers look upon books, that they may the better remember that which they had heard, and Bead translated the gospel of St. John into English, and where it is objected, it is dangerous for Heres • e, he said good Pastors might easily help the matter by adding the interpretation of the hard places in the margent: touching pardons, he said it were better that they should be restrain • d, then any longer to be used as they have been to the injury of Christ's passion.
Further these things were deposed against him, that he should preach at Ipswich, Christ is our Meadiator betwixt us and the Father, why then should we seek to any Saint for remedy, and to make petition to Saints is great injury and blasphemy to Christ: and that man is so imperfect of himself, that he cannot merit by his own deeds, that it was great injury unto our Savior Christ, to teach that to b • buried in Saint Francis Coull, should remit four parts of penance: what is then left to Christ which taketh away the sins of the world: This I will justify to be great blasphemy.
And that it was great folly to go • in pilgrimage, and that preachers in times past have been Antichrists, and now it hath pleased God somewhat to show their errors; and that the miracles done in Walsingham, Canterbury, and Ipswich were done by the Devil by the sufferance of God, to blind the people: and that the pope hath not the Keys that Peter had, except he follow Peter in living, and that it was deposed against him, that he was twice pulled out of the Pulpit by the Friars in the Dioces of Norwich: And that he • xhorted the people to put away their God's of Silver and Gold, and leave offering unto them, because it hath often been known, that those things offered, have after been given to Whoores of the Stews: And that Jews and Sarazens would have bec • me Christians long ago, had it not been for the Idolatry of the Christians, in offering Candles, Wax and money to stocks and stones.
In a Dialogue betwixt him and Friar John Brusierd, he proveth three points: Firs • , that there is but one Mediator of God and Men, which is Christ: Then our Lady, S. Peter, and other Saints be no Mediators; and whatsoever we ask the Father in Christ's Name we shall have, and God saith not in any other name: therefore let us ask in his name, least at the day of Judgment it be said to us, hitherto have you asked nothing in my name.
To which the Fry • r answered: I would Master Bilney that you would search the first Origen of the Rogation days, which were ordained by Pope Gregory, with Fastings, Prayers, and holy Processions against the Pestilence, by the infe • tion of the air, in which time of Procession an Image like our Lady, Painted by S. Luke, went before them: About which Image Angels did sing Regina coeli letare: To the which the Pope joined, Ora pro nobis Domine, &c. Therefore being the Angels did honor the Image of the Virgin: And Pope Gregory with all the Clergy did pray to her: It appeareth mani • estly we ought to pray to Saints, that they may say like for us, which the Disciples said in the Gospel, serve them, and send them away, because they cry after us.
Secondly, he proveth the Pope to be Antichrist, in that he exalteth himself above all that is called God. For the Pope imposeth but a small punishment upon them that break any of the • en Commandments; But he that shall violate the popes constitutions, he is guilty of death. What is this but the Pope to sit and to reign in the Temple of God, that is, man's conscience as God, and the popish miracles are not of God, but illusions of Satan; who as the Script • res witness, have been loosed this five hundred years; As it is written, that Satan should be loosed after a thousand years; and they are illusions, because they make them put th • ir Faith in our Lady and oth • r Saints, and not in God alone.
The third is, that no Saint, though his suffering were never so great, and his life most pure, deserved anything for us with God, as you may see by the answer of the wise Uirgins, unto the foolish Uirgins, when they craved oil of them: No say they, least peradventure we have not sufficient for our selves and you, get you rather to them that sell, and buy, where be then the merits of Saints, whereby they may deserve for themselves and others.
After he was brought again before the Bishops at the Charter-house afore said; where he was admonished to abjure and recant: who answered, he would stand to his Conscience: but being many times sent for and persuaded, he did abjure: But God not willing to loose such a worthy instrument of his Church raised him again after his fall, as h • re followeth to be seen.
These Articles were objected against GEFFREY LON, for which he was abjured.
FIrst for having and dispersing abroad books of Luther, for affirming and believing that Faith only justifieth, and that men be not bo • nd to observe the constitutions of the Church; That we should pray only to God, not to Saints: That pilgrimages are not profitable to man's soul: That we should not offer nor set up lights to Images: That no man is bound to keep the Fasts of the Church: That Popes pardons profit not a man: and Thomas Garnet Master of Art. Curat of all Hallowes in Honey Lane, for having and distributing Luther's Books, and them of that sect: For affirming Faith only justifieth: That Pardons profit neither the dead nor living: That the Constitutions of the Church bind us not: for calling Bishops Pharisees: That fasting days are not to be observed: That every man that is able may preach the Word and no Law to the contrary: for thes • and such like he was abjured before Cutbert Bishop of London.
But the aforesaid Bilney, notwithstanding his recantation: He abated not any part of his desire & study to preach, but was the more vehement against the Bishops corrupt life: but whilst he was occupied in that godly enterprise, to allure all men to salvation, Thomas Moore, and Richard Nickes, the blind Bishop of Norwich, who was as blind in body as Soul, they laid hands on him, and condemned him of heresy, and judged him to the fire; because he had preached since his abjuration, and because he taught Saints should not be worshipped, nor called upon as Mediators. He would many times prove the pain of the fire by holding his finger near the Candle: but the night before he suffered martyrdom he held his finger so long that he burnt off the first joint. He was burned in Lollards yet in Norwich, with great joy falling down before the stake, and rising kist it, & bound himself with the Chaine, confessing his Faith, and animating the people to stand fast in the truth of God's Word, and to suffer for it.
Sir Thomas Moore being Chancellor of England; when those, should burn Bilney, required of him a Letter of his hand, whereby they might • ee discharged after his death: He said go too fellows burn him first, then come to me after for a Bill of my hand.
The Story of the valiant Martyr Master BAYFIELD.
THis Bayfield was a Monk of Bury, and for his Religion he was 〈◊〉 in the prison of his house, and whipped with a gagge in his mouth, and then •• ocked and continued in the same torments three quarters of a year; and then he was committed to Doctor Barns to go • to Cambridge with him: when he had been the • e a whole year, he tasted good learning so well that he never returned unto his Abbey again, but went to London to Maxwell and Stacy, & they kept him secret a while, and conveyed him beyond Sea. Doctor Barns being in the Fleet for God's Word; This Bayfield mightily prospered in the knowledge of God, and was veneficiall to Master Tyndale, and Frith, for he brought substance with him, and sold their works for them. And at last coming to London to M. Smiths house in •• cklers Bury, he was betrayed and dogged to his Book- • inders house in Mark Lane, & there taken & carried unto Lolards Tower, & from thence taken & carried to the Cole-house; because one Patmore Parson of Much-Haddam in Essex, then living in Lolards tower, was confirmed in the Doctrine of Christ by him; there he was tied by the neck, middle and legs, standing up • ight by the walls, diverse times manacled to accuse others that had bought his Books, but he accused none, but stood in his Faith unto the end: He was in the Consistory of Paul's put to his trial, whether he would abjure or no: he said he would dispute for his Faith, and so did to their great shame. Stokesley being their Judge with others, he was condemned for bringing over and selling heretical Books, and because before time he was accused to the Bishop of London for affirming certain Articles contrary to the Church: and especially that all land should be given to God, and not to Saints or Creatures; and that every Priest might preach the Word of God, by the authority of the Gospel, and need not to run to the Pope or Cardinals for license; and that he ab • ured, and hath since preached the like Doctrines: When they asked him what he had to say, why he should not have his Judgment; He said with a vehement spirit to the Bishop of London, your living of the spiritualty is so evil, that you be heretics, and you maintain evil living, and let that true living may not be known: and that their living, neither their belief, is according to Christ's Gospel: Then the Bishop read the sentence against him, and disgraded him▪ he kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar in Paul's; He took the Crosie • staff, and smote him on the breast, that he threw him down backwards and brake his head, and he sounded: and when he came to himself again, he thanked God that he was delivered from the malignant Church of Antichrist, and that he was come into the true Church, and that he trusted anon to be in heaven with Jesus Christ, and the triumphant Church forever: Then he was led again to Newgate, & continued there in prayer an hour, and thence went to the fire ioifully, and was three quarters of an hour alive in the fire, and when the left arm was burned, he rubbed it with his right hand, & it fell from his body, and he continued in prayer to the end without moving.
The History of M r John Tewxbury Cittizen and Lether-Dresser of London.
IN all points of Religion, and the point of justification, he disputed most openly in the Bishops Chapel, with such prompt and expert answers that Tunstall and all his learned men were ashamed: This disputation continued a senight, then he was sent to my L. Chancellor, Sir Thomas Moore to Chelsey, and there he lay in the porters Lodge, hand, foot, and head in the stocks six days. Then he was carried to Jesus Tree in the Garden, where he was whipped, and also twisted in his brows, with small ropes, that the blood start out of his eyes, and yet would accuse no man. Then he was racked in the Tower, and there promised to retant at Paul's Cross. After he came to S. Augustine's with a New Testament in his hand, and stood up before the people in a Pew, and declared openly with tears that he had denied God, and prayed the people to forgive him, and to beware of his weakness not to do as he had done: for if I should not turn again to this truth, having the New Testament in his hand, he said, this Book God's Word would damn me body and soul, and he prayed everybody to do as he had done: for he would not feel such a hell again as he had done not for all the worlds good: and immediately he was carried to the Bishop of London; and after he was burned in Smithfield, and died a glorious Martyr.
In his Disputations, the Bishop proposed these Articles out of the Book called the Book of the wicked Mammon: and he affirmed them.
TEwxbery, A man should do good works for the love of God only, and for no hope of reward higher or lower in heaven, for if he should it were presumption, & being asked whether faith only justifieth: he said if he should desire heaven by works he were greatly to blame, for works follow Faith, and Christ redeemed us by his death: the devil holdeth our hearts so hard that it is impossible for us to consent to God's Law: and that the Law of God suffereth no merits, nor any man to be Justified in the sight of God: and that the Law of God commandeth things impossible; and as the good tree bringeth forth good fruit: so there is no Law to him that believeth and is justified by faith, and all good works must be done without respect of any profit thereby, for they deserve no reward of God, and that the Devil is not east out by the merits of fasting and prayer.
Item, We cannot love God, except we see first his love and kindness to us: whilst we are under the Law, we see nothing but • inne and damnation, and the wrath of God, and cannot but hate him as a tyrant, and flee from him as Cain, and that we are damned by Nature as a Toade, and a Serpent are so by Nature.
Item, Love in Christ putteth no difference betwixt one man and another.
Item, The sects of Saints Francis, Saint Dominick & others be damnable: Then the Bishop asked him whether he would renounce these heresies, and he prayed the Bishop to reform himself: Then the Bishop gave him respite, and when he came before him again.
First, he affirmed that Christ & all his merits were his, and that he was knit to him so inseparably that he could not be damned, except Christ were damned.
He that seeketh by his alms more then to be merciful, and to succor his brother • and neighbors need he is blind, and seeth not Christ's blood, so God is honored on all sides in that we count him righteous in all his laws, and to worship him otherwise is Idolatry: he concluded to them all, he found no fault throughout all the book, but it is all good, and hath given him great light of conscience.
The next Sessions he was enticed to recant▪ but shortly after he was moved by the example of one that was burned in Smithfield, and after did constantly abide in the testimony of the truth, and suffered in Smithfield.
-
Lastly for these Articles he was condemned.
- 1 THat Faith only justifieth which lacketh not Charity.
- 2 That Christ is a sufficient Mediator for us, therefore no prayer to be • made to Saints.
- 3 That Christ is our sufficient purgatory; and that there is no purgatory after this life.
- 4 That the souls of the faithful departing this life rest with Christ.
- 5 That a Priest receiving orders, receiveth more grace, if his Faith be increased, or else not.
Lastly, he believeth that the blood and flesh of Christ is not in the Sacrament: whereupon he was condemned and burnt as aforesaid.
JOHN RANDALL.
THis JOHN RANDALL was of Christ's College in Cambridge, and for the love that he had to the Scriptures, and sincere Religion, he was suspected and hated; the young man being studious and about one & twenty years old was long lacking of his companions, and through the stench of his corps, his study door • being broken up, he was found hanged with his own girdle within the study, in such manner, that he had his face looking upon the Bible, and his finger pointing to a place of Scripture: whereas predestination was entreated of, surely this matter lacked no singular policy, of some old naughty man, that it should seem for fear of pred • stination, he was driven to despair, that it might keep their young men from the study of the Scriptures as a thing most perilous.
In this year an old man in the County of Buckingham, for eating of Bacon in Lent, was condemned to the fire and burned.
EDWARD FRESE.
EDward Frese, a Painter, was hired to paint certain clothes for the new Inn in Colchester, and in the upper boarder of the clothes, he wrote certain sentences of the Scripture: then some of the Town which had seen his work, apprehended him, and brought him to London to the Bishop, where he was cruelly imprisoned, with others of Essex. One Johnson and his wife, and one Willy, his wife, and his son, and one Father Bate of Rowshedge, & they were fed with fine Manchet, made of sawdust, or the most part thereof: the said Frese being at the Bishops at Fullam, his wife being desirous to see him, came to the gate being big with Child, the Porter kicked her on the belly, that on the same she died, and the child died immediately: after for writing against the wall, his hands were manacled, that the flesh of his arms were higher then the Irons: and they kept him three days without meat, when he should come to his answer, he could say nothing, but looked on the people like a wild man, and if they asked him any question, he could say nothing, but my Lord is a good man: an • when they had spent his body and wits, they sent him to Bearsie-Abby, but he would not tarry there, but he never came to his wits again, until his death: And his brother Valentine Frese was burned for the testimony of Christ in York.
Also the wife of the aforesaid Father Bate, made a Supplication to the King, and delivered it unto him, who appointed her to go to one M. Seliard, of him she gat a letter to the Bishop, she hoped some good should come to her Husband, but some of her friends would needs see the contents of her letter, which was to this effect: look what you can gather against Father Bate, send me word, that I may certify the Kings Majesty: but shortly after he gat out of prison in a dark night, and was caught no more.
In this year Friar Roy was burned in Portugale, what his doctrine was, may easily be gathered by his testimony that he left here in England.
The History of Master JAMES BAYNHAM, a Lawyer.
THis Master Baynham was accused to Sir Thomas Moore, Chancelor, & arrested with a Sergeant at Arms, and carried out of the middle Temple to his house at Chelsey, & when he saw he could not prevail with him, he whipped him at a tree in his garden, then racked him at the tower before himself, until they had almost lamed him, because he would not accuse Gentlemen of the Temple, nor tell where his books lay, and because his wife denied they were at his house, she was sent to the fleet, and his goods confiscate. When they had often used him upon the tortures, then he sent him to the Bishop of London, who cast him into Lolards tower, until he had been diverse times before him examined, and they were not able to resist him. He was both mighty in Scriptures and Arguments, that he was able to confound them with their own Arguments: so he condemned him, and the Bishop sent one Doctor Symons to pervert him, and wait upon him to the stake, & after much communication between the Doctor & him, he prayed the Sheriffs to deliver him from Satan, for he was content to confirm his faith with his blood. At the stake he lay down flat and prayed, then rising up, he embraced the stake: then he said, Good people, I am come hither, accused and condemned for an heretic: these be the Articles I die for.
I say it is lawful for every man or woman to have God's book in their Mother tongue.
That the Pope is Antichrist, that he knoweth no other Keys of heau • n gate, but the preaching of the word, and that the • e is no other purgatory, then the purgatory of Christ's blood, and that the souls of the faithful immediately go to heaven, & r • st with Christ for evermore. That Thomas Becket was no Saint, but a Traitor, and a shedder of innocent blood: th • n one M. Pauey answered, Thou liest thou heretic, thou deniest the blessed Sacrament of the altar: He answered; I do not deny the Sacrament as it was instituted of Christ, and used of his Apostles, but I deny transubstantiation, and your Idolatry to the bread, and that Christ, God, and Man should dwell in a piece of bread; but that he is in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God: but it is an Idol as you use it in the abhominable Mass, making it a sacrifice propitiatory to the quick and the dead, and robbing the Church of one kind: then Pauey bid, Burn him Heretic: then he said, God forgive thee, and show thee more mercy then thou showest me, and God forgive Sir Thomas Moore: and prayed the people to pray for him, and so praying died.
The next week after, M. Pauey went up into a Galery, where he had a Rood before him and prayed, and bitterly wept, and his Maid finding him so doing, he • ad her take a rusty sword and make it clean, and not trouble him, and immediately he tied up a rope and hung himself.
There was an Idol named the Rood of Dover-Court, many resort • d unto it, for it was blown abroad, that the power of it was so great, that none could shut th • Church • door where it stood, whereupon sour men came ten miles thither, and took the Idol from the Shri • e, and a quarter of a 〈◊〉 from the place fired him, who burned so bright, that he lighted them homeward one mile. After, three of them were indicted of fellony, and hanged in Chaines; one at Dover Court, called N • cholas M •• sh, Robert King in Dedham, Robert Debnam, at Cottaway: which three persons a • their death, did more edify the people in godly learning, then all the sermons preached there a long time before: the fourth escaped: the same year many Images were cast down.
The Martirdome of John Frith.
WHen Cardinal Wolsey prepared to build a College in Oxford, which now is called Christ's Church, whence he was sent for to the King, being accused of certain crimes: in the way by immoderate purgations he killed himself, and so left a most glorious piece of work; part but begun, part half ended, and but a small part fully finished. He appointed to that College all such as were found to excel in any kind of learning: amongst whom this John Frith was one, and William Tyndale, and Tauernar of Bostone, and John Clark, and many others. These were accused of heresy by the Cardinal, and impri • oned in a deep Cave in t • e same College, where they were all infected through the stink of Fish: and John Clarke, wi • h other good men, whose names are not kn • wne, died; but Frith escaped, and departed out of England for four years, and returning home, Sir Thomas Moore promised great rewards to them that could take him, and laid all the hauens for him. At length he was taken at Reading for a Uacabound, and being put in the stocks, he sent for the Schoolmaster, and began in the Latin tongue to bewail his captivity, the School-master being overcome with his eloquen • e, took pity on him, and love • his excellent wit: then they fell to the Greek tongue, wherewith he so inflamed the love of the School-master, that he went to the Magistrates and got him to be set at liberty without punishment: but after he was traitorously taken and sent to the Tower, where he had many conflicts with the Bishops, but especially in writing with Sir Thomas Moore, who wrote against certain writings of Frithes, against the Sacrament of the Altar, which came to Sir Thomas Moors hands, and Frith having gotten a Copy of it, wrote against it. Cranmer, Archbishop, in his Apology against the Bishop of Winchester, seemeth to have collecte • Friths reasons abundantly. What Articles were objected unto him, appeareth by a brief Commentary, written and sent to his friends out of prison, as followeth.
First, the whole matter of the examination was two Articles, to wit; purgatory, and the substance of the Sacrament.
Touching purgatory, they asked whether I believed that there was any place to purg • the spots of the dead after this life: I denied there was any, because the nature of man consisteth but of two parts, the body and mind: one Christ purgeth in this world by laying afflictions upon us, and death the reward of sin is laid upon it, but our souls are purged with the word of God, which we drink in through Faith, to the salvation both of body and soul: If you will show a third part of man, I will grant you a third place, which you call Purgatory, otherwise I must deny unto you the Bishops shop of Purgatory.
Secondly, it was required of me, whether the very body of Christ were in the Sacrament of the Altar.
I answered, it is both Christ's body & ours, for as of many corns is made one loaf, so we being diverse, are but one body in Christ, therein it signifieth our body: so of the Wine that is made of many clusters, one liquor.
But the same bread again, in that that it is broken, signifieth the body of Christ, declaring his body to be broken and put to death for our redemption; and in that it is distributed the fruit of his Passion is signified: the communication whereof equally redounds to all Christians.
And again, when it is received to be eaten, it is the signification of the body of Christ, admonishing us, that our inward man is refr • shed by the merits of Christ, even as the bread is received with our mouth, to the outward nourishment of the body.
Then said they, dost thou believe the very body of Christ to be contained in th • Sacrament really, without trope or figure? He answered; No surely, I do not so think, and when by no means he could be persuaded to recant, he was condemned to be burned.
When he was tied to the stake in Smithfield, there it dot • significantly appear with what constancy he suffered: he willingly embraced the fag •• ts & fire, the wind blowing away the fire to his fellow that was tied at his back and b • rned with him, made his death the longer, but God gave him such strength and patience, that as though he had felt no pain in that long torment: he seemed rather to rejoice for his fellow, then to be careful for himself.
The examination of ANDREW HEWET, that was burned with JOHN FRITH.
HE was a Prentice in Watling-street, to a Taylor, when he was asked what he thought touching the Sacrament of the last Supper: he answered, even as John Frith doth: Then one of the Bishops said, Dost thou not believe that it is really the body of Christ, borne of the Virgin Mary? He said, that I do not believe why said the Bishop; he said Christ commanded me not to give rash credit to them which say, Behold here is Christ, and there is Christ, for many false Prophets shall rise up, saith the Lord. Then Stokly, Bishop of London, said, Frith is condemned for an heretic, and except thou revoke thine opinion, thou shalt be burned with him: he said, he was content. The Bishop used many perswasi • ns to alure him to recant, but could not, wherefore he was burned with Frith as before. When they were at the stake, one Doctor Coke admonished all the people, that they should in no wise pray for them no more then they would for a Dog, whereat Frith smiling, desired the Lord to forgive him, and so departed.
About this time High Latimer was inhi • ited by the Bishop of London to preach in his Dioces, and yet after he preached in the Precin • t of the Friars Augustine's of London.
The Lady Anne of Boleyn, although she was not yet married to King Henry, yet she was in great favor, and daily she inclined the Kings mind more & more against the Papists, so that the same year the King and certain of his Lord's came into the Parliament house, and he complained of the Clergy, that they were but half his Subjects, yea and scarce our Subjects: for their oath to the Pope at their consecration, is clean contrary to that which they make to us: and he deliu • r • d to the Parliament the copies of both their oaths. These Oaths being thus received and • pened to the people, were the occasion that the Pope lost all his jurisdiction in England shortly after. The matter falling out more and more against the Pope, Sir Thomas Moore, a great maintainer of the Pope, was driven to resign his Chancelorship, • deliver up the great seal into the Kings hands. After whom, succeeded Sir Thomas Audley, keeper of the great seal, a great fauorer of Christ's Religion.
Lady ANNE of Boleyn.
WIthin short time after, the King married the Lady Anne Boleyn, Mother to Queen Elizabeth, who was the secret ayder and comforter of all the Professors of the Gospel, and her alms shown her life was accordingly, which was a hundred gowns weekly, and other apparel yearly before she was married, both to men & women, she also gave much private alms to the widows and poor ho • sholders continually, until she was apprehended. And she ever gave three or four pounds at a time to them, to buy them Kine, and sent her Sub-almner about to the Towns where she lay, that the Parisheners should make a b • ll of all the poor householders in th • ir parish: and some parishes received 7. 8. or 10. pounds to buy Kine withal: Also, she maintained many l • arned men in Cambridge, so did the Earl of Wiltshir • her Father, and the Lord Roch her Broth • r, and she brought them in favor with • ing Henry. She carried always about her a little purse, out of which she was wont daily to scatter abroad some alms to the needy, thinking no day well spent wherein none had fared the better for her. She kept her Maids, and such as were about her, employed in making shirts and smocks for the poor, but the Lady Dowager being deuorced, made the Pope to curse the King, and interdict the realm: In the mean time Queen Anne bein • great with child, in the next year following was crowned with high solemnity at Westminster, and not long after brought to • ed at Greenewich, of the fair Lady, Elizabeth: The Lord Major of London and his Brethren, with forty chief Citizens, were commanded to be present, with all the Nobles and Gentlemen: The Kings Palace, and all the walls to the Friars were hanged with Arras, •• d the Friers Church. The Font war of Silver, and stood in the midst of the Church, three steps high, which was covered with fine linen, and diverse Gentlemen with aprones and towels about their necks, gave attendance about it: Ouer the Font hung a fair Canopy of Crimson Satin, fringed with Gold.
The holy Maid of Kent.
CErtaine Monks put into the heads of many of the Kings Subjects, that they had R • uelation of God and his Saints, that he was highly displeased with king Henry, for the divorcement of the Lady Katherine, and surmised that God had revealed unto a Nun, called Elizabeth Barton, whom they called the Holy Maid of Kent, that if the King did divorce her, he should not be King of this Realm one month after, and not one day nor hour in God's favor. She would show marvelous alteration of her visage and body, as if she had been wrapped in a trance, and inspired of God. She spoke against sin, and reproved the Gospel, which she called heresies, and spoke diverse things to the reproach of the King and Queen, and to the establishing of Idolatry, Pilgrimage, and derogation of God's glory. The Archbishop▪ the Lord Cromwell, and Master Hugh Latimer, with great labor found out her naughtiness, and condemned her and put her to death, with certain of her council.
WILLIAM TRACY Esquire.
A Little before this time William Tracy of Todington in Gloster-shire made his Will, that he would have no funeral pomp at his burying, nor Mass; and said that he trusted in God only, and hoped by him to be saved, and not by any Saint. His Executor brought the Will to the Bishop of Canterbury that then was, to prove it; which he shown to the Conuocation, and they judged him to be taken up and burned as an heretic, and sent a commisson to Doctor Parker Chancelor of Worcester, to execute their sentence, who accomplished the same. The King hearing thereof, sent for the Chancelor, who laid the fault on the Bishop; yet it cost him three hundred pount er • he could have a pardon.
The story of twenty four burned at Paris.
IN this year • were diverse writings set up in Paris, upon the Porches and gates, against the Mass and other papistical superstitions, whereupon many were apprehended and cast into prison: but twenty four were executed in several places of the City of Paris.
The bearer of the Popes curse and interdictment against King Henry and the Realm, durst not come into the Realm with it, but set it up in Dunkerk in Flanders: the king hearing thereof, took great displeasure against the said Princesse Dowager, and so stomacked the matter, that the next year he called a Parliament, and caused it to be provided by sufficient Acts, that the Pope should be utterly abol • sht, and himself to be established supreme head of the Church: at which thing Sir Thomas Moore & the Bishop of Rochester grudged, and would not consent unto it, but openly resisted the same; wherefore they were condemned of treason, and headed at Tower-hill. Likewise three Charter-Monks were hanged, drawn and quartred at Tyburne, for speaking traiterous words against the Kings Majesty.
This yere the King set forth a Proclamation for the abolishing of the usurped power and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, wherein is declared, that not only the secular men granted him this jurisdiction, but all the spiritualty in the Conuocation house, under their seals; wherein also he signified, that he had addressed Letters vnthe Bishops of the Diocese, straitly commanding them that forthwith the sincere word of God should be preached every Sunday and Holy-day unto the people, and Our style and jurisdiction of supreme head appertaining only to our Crown and Dignity royal to be published, and that the Popes usurped name should be put out of all prayers, masses, or other books, except it be to his reproach.
The life and story of M. William Tyndale.
FIrst, he was Schoolmaster to one Master Welch, and for translating certain religious books into English, and for arguing with a certain Priest that often used to his Masters house, and confounding diverse points of their religion by the word of God, he was pursued & glad to go out of the Realm into Germany, and there translated the Bible into English, & compiled diverse other books, & s • nt them into England; whereby the door and light unto the Scriptures was daily more and more opened, which before was many years closed in darkness: from thence he went to A • twarp, and had his abiding there, and was lodged about a year in the house of one Thomas Poynets an English man, which kept a house of English Merchants: then came thither one Henry Philip's, having a servant waiting on him. M. Tyndale became acquainted with him, and had great confidence in him, and had him often to dinner and supper with him, and got him a lodging in M. Poynets house.
At length Philip's w • nt to the high Court of Bruxelles to betray M. Tyndale and procured to bring from thence with him the Procurator general, with oth • r Officers, which was not done with small charges, from whom soever it came. After, Philip's returning, would have M. Tyndale▪ to dine with him: then he desired M. Tyndale to lend him forty shillings, which he did: he told Philip's he could not di • e with him, for he was bid forth to dinner, and he should go with him. And going forth to d • nner, Philip's having appointed the officers in the way, he gave them a sign that this was he they should apprehend: then they took him and brought him to the Procurator general▪ who sent him to the Cas • le of Filford, and the Procurator general went to Poynets house, and sent away all that was there of M. Tindals.
The said Poynets and certain Merchants went over into England, and got letters from the Co • ncell for M. Tindals delivery; upon the delivery whereof to the Council of Bruxelles, M. Tyndale should have been delivered unto him: which when Philip's understood, he accused Poynets • o be an heretic, and a receiver of such, & caused him to be apprehended & kept 13. or 14. weeks in prison; but he escaped by night and got into England: but M. Tyndale was condemned; and the same morning as he was had to the fire▪ he delivered a letter to the chief Keeper of the Castle, which the Keeper himself brought to Poynets house, who compared him to be fellow to the Apostles being in prison, both for his conversation and converting and preaching to the peo • le.
M. Tyndale hearing by certain Merchants what wonderful feats a Iugler did, he desired th • m that he might be present also at supper to see him play his parts: accordingly the supper was appointed, and the Merchants, with Tyndale, were there present. The Iugler being desired to vtt • r his cunning, sh • wed all that he could do, but all was in vain: at last, with his labor, sweating and toil, he saw nothing would go forward, he confessed there was some man present at supper which dis • urbed his doings. For his letters that he wrote, I refer thee to the book at large if thou dispose to see them.
The Lord Cromwell, keeper of the Kings privy Seal, Uicegerent of all the Kings jurisdiction eccl • siasticall, sent out certa • n iniunc • ions by the K • ngs authorit • , for the preaching th • word of God, for the b • tter publishing of the kings suprema ••• , against idols, & 〈◊〉 on pilgrimage▪ & trus • ing in saints, and to abrogate diverse holy-days▪ and for reformation to be had in diverse oth • r ecclesiastical matters.
In the begi •• g of this year the most noble and worthy Lady Queen Anne of Boleyn, after she had lived Q ••• ne three • ears, was cast into the Tower, together with her brother the Lord Rochford, and diverse others which shortly after were executed.
The words of the Queen at the time of her death.
Good Christian people, I ame come hither to die; I am judged thereto by the law, therefore I will not speak against it: I pray God preserve the King, for there was never a gentler Prince, and to me he was ever a good sovereign: and I r • quire every one to judge the best of my cause; so • take my leave of the world, and of you all, desiring you to pra • • or me. Then she kneeled down, and said, Into thy hands I commend my soul, Jesus receive my soul, diverse times, until her head was stricken off.
Five burned in Scotland.
SEauen years after Patrick Hamelton aforesaid, there were five burned in Edinburgh the chief City in Scotland; two were Dominican Friers, one Priest, one Cannon, and one Gentleman, adjudged by the Archbishop of S. Andrew's, Petrus Chappe • anus, and the Franciscan Friers, whose labor is never wanting in such matters.
The murder of ROBERT PACKINGTON.
HEe was a rich Mercer dwelling in Cheap side, and was one of the • urgesses of the Parliament for the City of London, and had spoken against the covetousness and cruelty of the Clergy; wherefore he was had in contempt with them, therefore one Doctor Vincent Dean of Paul's hired a stranger for sixty crowns to kill him, which he did in this manner: this Packington used by four of the clock every morning, to go to a Church near Cheap-side; and in a misty morning t • e hired stranger shot him and killed him with a gunne as he crossed the street. This could not be known until the death of the Dean: then he repented the fact at his death, and confessed it to his ghostly father.
In this year the Kings Majesty by his Uicegerent the L. Cromwell sent out again certain Injunctions unto the Spiritualty, for the reformation of religion, for the maintenance of reading the Bible in English, and for taking down of Images, with such other like.
The history of John Lambert, alias Nicolson.
BEing beyond Sea by reason of the persecution here, he returned, hoping the time had been amended, by the means of Queen Anne and Cromwell, and the abolishing of the Pope; he became a Schoolmaster: and being present at a Sermon preached by Doctor Taylor, one that was a Bishop in K. Edwards time, and died in the Tower in Queen Mary's time, after the Sermon he uttered diverse arguments to the Preachers, and desired to be resolved: Taylor alleged business, and desired him to write his mind, which he did.
The first was upon, The cup is the New Testament: and if these words do not change neither the cup nor the wine into the New Testament, by like reason the words spoken of the bread, should not turn it corporally into the body of Christ.
The second, it is not agreeable to a natural body to be in • woe or more places ot one time: therefore Christ having a natural body, cannot be in heaven on the right hand of his father, and in the Sacrament.
Thirdly, a natural body cannot be without his form and conditions, as he cannot be without substance: i • the Sacrament there is no form and condition of the body of Christ, no, not any appearance of flesh, therefore there is no transubstantiated body of his in the Sa • rament: and on the contrary, the form and condition that you see in the Sacrament pertaineth to bread, which cannot be there without the subject, therefore of necessity we must confess bread to be there.
Taylor put up the writing to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury; so he was forced to defend his cause openly in the Court: the Archbishop had not yet sanored the doctrine of the Sacrament, which he afterward was an earnest teacher of Lambert was fain to appeal from the Bishop to the King.
Stephen Gardener Bishop of Winchester, as he was most cruel, so he was most subtle, gaping to get occasion to hinder the Gospel. He privily admonished the King, what great hatred he had gotten of all men for abolishing the Bishop of Rome's authority, and for subuerting the Monasteries, and for the di • orcement of Queen Katharine: and now the time served, if he would take it, to remedy all these matters, and pacify their minds that be offended; if on this man Lambert he would manifest how st • utly he would resist heretics, whereby he shall discharge himself of all suspicion of being a favorer of new Sects; whereupon the King appointed a day for argument before him: when the time was come, the Bishop argued the foresaid points against Lambert, which he answered most effectually; but the King and the Bishops would not suffer him to conclude his arguments. When the King minded to break up his counterfeit disputation, he said to Lambert, What sayest thou now to the reasons and instructions of these learned men? Art thou satisfied? Wilt thou live or die, thou hast yet free choice? Lambert answered, I submit myself to the will of your Majesty: the King said submit thyself to the hands of GOD, not to mine; then said Lambert, I commit my soul to the hands of GOD, but my body I submit to your clemency. Then said the King, if you commit yourself to my clemency you must die: for I will not be a patr • n vn • o heretics. Then he bade Cromwell read the sentence of condemnation against h • m; which he did, though he was the chief friend of the Gospellers: this was by the po • icie of Cranmer, that if Cromwell should have refused to do it, he might incur the like danger. And in the sentence was contained a decree, that the same should be set upon the Church porches, and be read four times every year in every Church throughout the Realm • , whereby the worshipping of the bread should be the more fixed in the hearts of the people.
The Answers of JOHN LAMBERT to diverse Articles administered to him.
WHere you ask me of free-will, whether a man have free-will that he may deserve joy or pain: we deserve nothing by doing the commandments of God, as it appeareth by the Parable of the Master, which when his servant is come from work will make him wait on him until he hath eaten, and after give him leave to eat, and yet thanketh him not, because he hath done but his duty: so should you say you are unprofitable servants when you have done that which you were bound to do; therefore when we have done well, we should not magnify our own free-will, but his grace by which we did it.
And though • race be promised in many places to the keepers of God's precepts, yet such reward shall neu • r be attained of us, but by the grace and benefit of him which worketh all things in all creatures.
We should not do works for love of reward, nor for dread of pain, but because they do please God: and if we only aim at the contenting of his pleasure, reward undoubtedly would insue good deeds, as heat inseparably followeth fire. Thus we should serve God for love, as children, and not for reward and dread as servants.
We have no free-will nor ability of our selves to do the will of God, but as Isaiah saith, We are subject and thrald unto sin: and Paul saith, By the grace of God we are set at liberty.
Touching ear • co •• ession; it was not ordained of God b • t of man: in the book called Historia tripa • tita, you shall find how it was first instituted, and after undone again, because of a huge vil • any committed by a Minister upon a woman, through con • ession.
And touching their power to forgive sins; I say only Christ looseth a sinner which is contrite, by his promise, and the Priest can but declare the promise: neither doth the declaring of the promise by the Priest benefit any one, vn • esse he be loosed from his sin, by credence in the promise ministered. And Chrysostom in his book, in opere imperfecto, affirmeth that the keys of heaven are the doctrine of the word of God.
Ministers do bind and loose after a sort, as Christ told Paul, Thou shalt open their eyes that they may be converted from darkness unto light. Here Paul is said to open the eyes of men's hear • s, yet to speak properly, it is God that doth it: therefore David prayeth▪ Reuela oculos meos: and it is said of John the Baptist, That he should turn the harts of the fathers unto the children, and the unbelievers unto the wisdom of the wise, although to turn men's hearts only belongeth to God; but so we use to speak Metonomi •• .
Touching enjoining of penance; I know none that men need to admit, neither ought you to ini • yne any, except casting away the old vice, and taking the new virtue, which every • rue penitent intendeth, or ought to intend.
Touching the question, whether grace be given only by the Sacraments; God sendeth his grace where it pleaseth him, either with them or without them, and when he pleaseth: and many lewd persons receive the Sacraments that are destitute of grace, to their confusion; yet in due receipt of the Sacraments God giveth grace.
Where you ask, whether all things necessary to salvation are in Scripture; S. Chrysostom saith he would have a true preacher of God's law not to swerve therefrom, neither on the right hand nor the left: for he that should thereunto add or withdraw, should enterprise to be wiser then God.
And Saint Cyprian in his Epistle ad Cicilium fratrem, teacheth how we ought to hear Christ only, not regarding traditions of men, like as he doth in diverse other places. And this agreeth well with Scripture, which is called the word of salvation, the administration of righteousness, the word of truth, the rod of direction, our spiritual food, the spiritual sword that we ought to fight withal against all temptations and assaults of our glostly enemies, the seed of God, the kingdom of heaven, the keys of the same, the power of God, the light of the world, the law of God, his wisdom and Testament: everyone of which words will give sufficient matter of argument, that following the same doctrine only shall have sufficient safeconduct to come unto the inheritance promised, though no other way or mea • s were ann • xed unto the same. In the hundred and eighteen Psalm, David saith, The word of God is true and his way verity; every man is vanity and lying: and Christ saith, Everyone that heareth my words and doth them, is like one that buildeth his house upon a sure foundation; and that there is none other foundation by S. Paul: and he would have us follow one doctrine of Christ to a unity of faith, that we may be perfect men; not carried about with every wind of doctrine, brought up by the slights and wiliness of men that • tudie to deceive us.
Touching the question, that there are many things to be believed upon pain of salvation, that are not in the Scripture: I say laws ordained for the civil regiment of the body, and all other Laws, so they be not hurtful to Faith or Charity, but help to the same, we ought to keep them not only for fear of punishment, but for Conscience sake, although such ordinance be not expressly in the Scripture; but I say there is nothing that is not expressly in the Scriptures, that is to be believed upon necessity of salvation.
Touching your Question of purgatory, and whether souls departed be there in torment and purged: I say there is a purgatory in this world, which is the fire of tribulations, through which all Christians shall pass, as S. Paul saith: All that live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution: In this purgatory I do reckon myself now to stand, God send me well to persevere unto his honor.
Other Purgatory do I know none, neither can any be proved by any place of Scripture: And S. August: de ebrietate, saith, let no man deceive himself; for there be two places, the third is not known: He that with Christ hath not deserved to reign, shall perish with the Devil, and in his Book de vanitate seculi, he saith, know you that when the soul is departed from the body, it is incontinent for the good deeds put into paradise, and else thrown headlong into the Dungeon of hell for the sins; and to this all Scripture agreeth.
Touching your question, whether Martyrs, Apostles, and Confessors departed, ought to be honored and prayed unto.
Saint Augustine in his Book de vera religione, would have that we should worship no men departed, be they never so good and holy, no nor yet an Angel, nor to honor them, but only in imitating their good living as they followed God, not building Churches to them; no, the Angels would not have us build Churches to them, but would with them we should honor the Maker of all things. They refuse all honor, saving honor Charitatis, which love we should express, in helping the poor and helpless: And the Scripture teacheth, that there is but one Mediator, and we are exhorted in all places of Scripture to call upon God in need, but in no place to call upon any Saint.
Touching your demand, whether Oblations and Pilgrimages, may deuoutlie and meritoriously be done unto the Sepulchers and Relics of Saints.
Moses when he died, would be buried where no man should know which was his grave: & it was, because the Jews, which were prone to new fangled worshipping, should not fall into Idolatr • , worshipping him as God, for the great and many miracles that were wrought by him when he was alive. It is no point of my belief, to think that Oblations & Pilgrimages at Saints graves and Relics, are meritorious works, neither is there any devotion at all in doing of them.
Touching fasting days and time I say they are good for diverse respects, but it is no deadly sin to break them, for they are but the traditions of men.
Touching your question whether Images ought not to be in the Churches for a remembrance of Christ, and his Saints. I know no Images made with hands that ought to be worshipped; For the Psalm saith, Confusion be unto all such as worship carved Images and glory in pictures.
And S. Augustine in his Book de vera religione, let us not be bound to worship the works of men, for the workmen are more excellent then the things that they make; whom notwithstanding we ought not to worship: and if Christ's Doctrine were so opened, that people might understand it, as Prelates chiefly ought to do by teaching, we should have no need of Images, for nothing is so effectual to excite the remembrance of Disciples, as the lively voice of good teachers.
Touching your demands, whether men forbidden to preach as suspected of Heresi • ought to cease from preaching, Christ and his Apostles were counted heretics, and the Apostles were forbidden oftentimes of the High Priest and others to preach anymore, and were imprisoned and scourged for it, yet they would not leave preaching, but told them to their faces they must obey God which bad them preach, rather then men which forbad them; yea, the Angel delivering them out of prison, bad them go preach again. This is for our instruction, doubt not, for such practice is shown in all ages, so you may see when men be wrongfully infamed of heresy, and so prohibited by Bishops to preach the Word of God: they ought not to stop for any man's commandment.
Touching your question of having the Bible in English, in England. In my opinion, I say it was not well done to inhibit it: and worse, that the Bishops have not sithence amended it if they could, that the people might have it to use virtuously. And I will add one reason, the Scripture is the food and sustinance of man's soul, as it appeareth by many places of the Scripture, as other meat is the food of the body: then if he be an unkind Father that keepeth away the bodily meat the space of a week or a month from his Children, it should seem that our Bishops be no gentle Pastors or Fathers, that keep away the food of men's souls from them, both months, years, and ages, especially when others offer the same.
Touching you question, whether faith only justifieth. I answer with S. Augustine, Good works make not a man justified, or right wise: but a man once justified, doth good works.
These Articles being directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, which was not Cranmer but Doctor Warham: whereby it may be gathered, that this godly learned man was long before he disputed before the King, or was condemned to death: upon the day that was appointed for him to suffer, this holy martyre of God was brought out of prison unto the house of the Lord Cromwell, and carried into his inward chamber, where it is reported Cromwell asked him forgiveness for what he had done. And being admonished of his hour of death, he was greatly comforted; and coming into the hall, he saluted the Gentlemen and sat down to breakfast, showing no manner of sadness or fear; after breakfast he was carried to the place of execution, where he should offer himself a sacrifice of sweet savor unto the Lord, who is blessed in his Saints forever and ever. Amen.
The story of one COLLINS.
ONe Collins a Gentleman was burnt at London, for that being besides his wits, by chance he came into a Church where a Priest was saying mass, and was come to the holding up and showing the Sacrament, Collins in like manner took up a little Dog, holding it over his head, showing him unto the people; wherefore he was condemned and burned, and the Dog with him.
LEYTON and PVTTEDVE.
LEyton was a Monk of Aye in Suffolk, and was burned at Norwich, for speaking against a certain Idol, which they of Aye were wont to carry about in processions, and for affirming both kinds in the Sacrament: and Puttedue coming into a Church merrily taunted the Priest, that after he had drunk up all the wine alone, he blessed the hungry people with the empty Chalice: wherefore he was condemned and burned.
Cowbridge.
THis Cowbridge came of a good stock, his ancestors even from Wycliffe's time hitherto, had been always favorers of the Gospel, and addicted to the setting forth thereof in English: He was borne in Colchester; his Father was head Bayly thereof; he was burned at Oxenford, for affirming that every poor Priest, being never so poor and needy, being of a good con • ersation, hath as great power and authority in the Church of God, and ministration of the Sacraments as the Pope or any other Bishops: they almoststerued him whilst he was in prison in Bocardo: and a little before his examination they promised him meat, if at his execution he would say such things as they would minister unto him, which he promised to do: whereupon he was well cherished, and recovered some part of his sense. When he was come to execution, contrary to their expectation, often times calling upon the Name of the Lord Jesus • , with great quietness and meekness he yielded his spirit into the han • s of the Lord.
This year one Peter a German, and another with him, constantly endured death by the fire at Colchester, for the Lord's Supper.
Friar Forest hanged for Papistry.
HE was an observant Friar, and had secretly in confessi •